Source: http://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title24/1700.shtml
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 02:56:39+00:00

Document:
These rules and regulations apply to all persons possessing, applying for or required to have a license or certificate or other authorization or approval which the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline is empowered to issue or grant.
“Accredited Hospital” means a medical facility accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations or the American Osteopathic Hospital Association.
"Board" means the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline.
"Institutional License" means a certificate to practice medicine as outlined under 24 Del.C. §1722(a)(2).
“LCME” means the examination given by the Medical Council of Canada.
“National Boards” means the examination administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners.
“United States” means the 50 States and its territories or possessions.
"USMLE" means United States Medical Licensing Examination.
3.1.1	If FLEX was taken before June, 1985 applicant must have successfully passed a FLEX examination (Component 1 and Component 2) and have attained a passing score of a weighted average of seventy-five (75). After June, 1985 a passing score of 75 must have been obtained on Component 1 and Component 2.
3.1.2	LCME is the equivalent to FLEX Component 1 and 2.
3.2.2	Passing Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 of the examination must occur within 7 years. There shall be no more than six attempts to pass each Step without demonstration of additional experience acceptable to the Board.
3.3	Certain persons licensed in other states: Doctors with valid state licenses by examination from other jurisdictions may be licensed at the discretion of the Board if this examination took place before January, 1973.
The Board may issue institutional certificates to qualified persons who may be employed as post graduate trainees (interns, residents, or fellows) or house physicians by an accredited hospital operated within this State. The Board will also issue institutional certificates to qualified persons who will be employed as staff physicians in a medical institution operated in this State by any governmental institution.
4.1.1.1.2	He or she intends to limit him or her selves solely to practice within the hospital, or the performance of such medical duties outside the hospital which may be assigned to them as part of a post graduate training program.
4.1.1.2	An affidavit of the chief administrative officer of said hospital certifying that the individual will be employed by the hospital and meets all requirements for licensure specified in 24 Del.C. §1720(b)(1) through (b)(6), excluding (b)(3).
4.1.2	A person who is to be employed by an accredited hospital as a post graduate trainee who was not a citizen of the United States at the time he or she enrolled in medical school outside of the United States must present a photocopy of his or her permanent ECFMG Certificate or VQE results.
4.1.3	Post graduate trainees employed by accredited hospitals who have been granted institutional certificates shall be specifically limited to the practice of medicine within the hospital where they are employed, except that they may perform such medical duties outside the hospital which may be assigned to them as part of their postgraduate training program, provided such outside duties are performed under the supervision of a physician with a Certificate to Practice Medicine in the State of Delaware.
4.1.4	Postgraduate trainees who are registered in training programs outside of Delaware and who rotate through programs in institutions in Delaware for over one month are required to obtain an institutional certificate.
4.1.5	Institutional certificates issued pursuant to these rules shall expire on the day on which the holder ceases to be employed by the employer hospital. If the employment relationship is prematurely terminated, both the holder and the Chief Administrative Officer of the employer hospital shall notify the Executive Director of the Board in writing not later than three days after the employment relationship is terminated.
4.1.6	Institutional certificates shall be renewed every year upon payment of a fee determined by the Division of Professional Regulation.
4.1.7	No institutional certificate issued to a post graduate trainee will be renewed at the end of the first year of issuance unless the trainee has passed at least one component of the FLEX examination or at least one part of the National Board Examination or the USMLE Step 1.
4.2	Staff Physicians Employed by a Governmental Institution.
4.2.1.1	An affidavit of the chief administrative officer of said institution certifying that the individual will be employed by the institution and meets all the requirements for license specified in 24 Del.C. §1720(a)(1) through (a)(6).
4.2.1.2	An affidavit of the physician seeking licensure certifying that he meets all the requirements for licensure specified in 24 Del.C. §1720(a)(1) through (a)(6).
4.2.1.3	An affidavit of the physician seeking licensure certifying that he intends to limit himself solely to practice within the institution.
4.2.2	Physicians applying for an institutional license who are to be employed by a governmental institution and who were not citizens of the United States at the time they enrolled in medical school outside the United States must present a photostatic copy of his/her permanent ECFMG or VQE certificate.
4.2.3	Physicians granted institutional licenses to practice medicine in governmental institutions shall be specifically limited to the practice of medicine within the governmental institution wherein the holder is employed.
4.2.4	Institutional licenses shall expire on the day on which the holder ceases to be employed by the employer institution. Both the holder and the employer institution shall notify the Executive Director of the Board in writing not later than three days after the employment relationship is terminated.
4.2.5	Valid institutional licenses shall be renewed every year upon payment of a fee determined by the Division of Professional Regulation.
5.1	As part of the application process for certification, a personal interview is required and will not be conducted until the completed application of the candidate has been received in the Board's Office.
5.2	Electronic Interviews via video-conferencing means satisfy the requirement for a personal interview provided the interviewer is able to view the applicant and the applicant’s photo identification.
5.3	The President of the Board has the power to waive the personal interview when the President considers it a hardship for the candidate. Distance alone is not considered a hardship.
Consultation may be done telephonically, electronically or in person. Consultation shall ordinarily consist of a history and physical examination, review of records and imaging pathology or similar studies. Consultation includes providing opinions and recommendations. An active Delaware certificate is required of any out of state physician who comes into Delaware to perform a consultation more than twelve (12) times per year. A physician who comes into Delaware to perform consultations must be actively licensed in another State or country on a full and unrestricted basis. Any consultations done for teaching and/or training purposes may include active participation in procedures and treatment, whether surgical or otherwise, provided a Delaware licensed physician remains responsible as the physician of record, and provided the patient is not charged a fee by the consultant.
7.1	Each license shall be renewed biennially. The failure of the Board to notify a licensee of his/her expiration date and subsequent renewals does not, in any way, relieve the licensee of the requirement to renew his/her registration/license pursuant to the Board’s regulations and 24 Del.C. Ch. 17.
7.2.4	payment of fees as determined by the Division of Professional Regulation.
7.3	Failure of a licensee to renew his/her license shall cause his/her license to expire. A physician whose license has expired may renew his/her license within one year after the expiration date upon fulfilling items 8.2.1 – 8.2.4 above, certifying that he/she has not practiced medicine in Delaware while his/her license has expired, and paying any renewal fees and a late fees determined by the Division of Professional Regulation.
7.4	No physician will be permitted to renew his/her license after the expiration of the one-year period.
7.5	The former licensee may re-apply under the same conditions that govern applicants for new licensure under 24 Del.C. Ch. 17 and meeting any requirements for re-entry to practice established under Board Rule 8.7.
7.6	No physician shall practice medicine in the State of Delaware during the period of time that his/her Delaware license has expired.
7.7.2	demonstrating that the applicant for licensure or renewal has kept current with continuing medical education meeting the requirements of the Board’s rules and regulations.
8.1.1	A pattern of performance of unnecessary medical procedures.
8.1.2	Exploitation of the doctor/patient privilege for personal gain or sexual gratification.
8.1.3	Sexual impropriety including, but not limited to, sexually suggestive behavior, gestures, expressions, statements and failure to respect a patient’s privacy.
8.1.4	Fraudulent billing for medical services.
8.1.5	Intentional falsification of records maintained for controlled substances and non-controlled drugs.
8.1.7	Willfully failing to treat a person under the physician's care who requires such treatment.
8.1.8	Intentional release of confidential information gained as a result of the doctor/patient privilege, unless such release was authorized by the patient or required by subpoena.
8.1.9	Payment of a fee by a physician to another physician who has referred the patient to him, unless the fee is in proportion to work actually performed by the referring physician.
8.1.10	Willful failure to disclose to a patient that a referring physician has the financial interest in an ancillary testing or treatment facility outside of the physician's office.
8.1.11	Failure to comply with administrative requirements of the Board including failure to comply with continuing medical education requirements.
8.1.12	Failure to comply with the Board’s regulations governing the use of controlled substances for the treatment of pain.
8.1.13	Failure to adequately maintain and properly document patient records.
8.1.14	Failure to provide access to patient records.
8.1.15	Inappropriate or disruptive behavior as defined in the AMA code of ethics.
8.1.16	Any other act tending to bring discredit upon the profession.
A physician or other healthcare provider regulated by the Board who has not been granted a certificate or license in the State of Delaware may render care or treatment to a patient in an emergency vehicle which is in transit in the State of Delaware provided such healthcare provider is certified or licensed in the state from which the emergency vehicle departed, or the state to which the emergency vehicle is destined.
10.1.1	Federation of State Medical Boards.
10.1.2	Medical Boards in other states in which the physician is licensed to practice medicine.
10.1.3	The Medical Society of Delaware.
10.1.4	Delaware Osteopathic Medical Society.
10.1.5	Director of the Division of Revenue.
10.1.6	Director of the Division of Public Health.
10.1.7	National Practitioner Data Bank.
10.1.8	All Hospitals and Managed Care Entities in Delaware.
11.1	This section does not apply to physician assistant practice. Regulations governing the practice of physician assistants may be found in Section 13.0 of these regulations.
11.1.1	Any physician who delegated medical responsibility to a non-physician is responsible for that individual's medical activities and must provide adequate supervision. No function may be delegated to a non-physician who by statute or professional regulation is prohibited from performing that function. Supervision may be direct or indirect depending upon the type of medical responsibility delegated. The delegating physician cannot be involved in patient care in name only.
11.1.2	For the purpose of clarification, the terms "guidelines", "standing orders", "protocols", and "algorithms" are synonymous in their application under these regulations. Hereafter, the term "standing orders" will be used. Standing orders must not be used to make a medical diagnosis or to prescribe medication or other "therapeutics". Non-prescription medications, however, may be initiated by standing orders if these standing orders have been approved by the responsible delegating physician. Emergency care as defined in the Medical Practice Act is exempt from these regulations.
11.1.3	Direct supervision requires the delegating physician to be physically on the premises and to perform an evaluation or give a consultation. Direct supervision is required if a medical diagnosis is rendered or a treatment plan involving prescription medications is to be instituted.
11.1.4	Indirect supervision requires the physician to be either physically present on the premises or readily available by an electronic device. Readily available necessitates the ability to become physically present within thirty minutes of notification if the situation warrants such action. Indirect supervision is required whenever a non-physician evaluates a patient, initiates a non-prescription medication or therapeutic, or renews a previously prescribed medication or therapeutic. Direct supervision (as defined above) required whenever a controlled substance is renewed. A non-physician may follow a physician-initiated standing order under the indirect supervision of the physician, providing the standing order does not call for the initiation of a prescription drug or therapeutic.
11.1.5	The Board considers it to be appropriate and good medical procedure for all responsible physicians who choose to have their patients followed by non-physician associates to personally re-evaluate at least every three months any patient receiving controlled substances, or at least every six months any patient receiving other prescription medications or therapeutics.
11.1.6	Any exemptions from the requirements specified above previously issued under former Regulation 20.1.6 will continue in effect and must be renewed by the Board every two years. No exemption will be renewed by the Board until it reaches the determination that the training and experience of the non-physician associate involved is adequate. Procedural safeguards must be in place to ensure the safe dispensing of drugs and other therapeutics. All exemptions must be judged by the Board not to endanger the public health of the citizens of Delaware.
11.1.7	A supervising physician who fails to adhere to these regulations would be considered to be permitting the unauthorized practice of medicine (as defined under 24 Del.C. §1702(12) of the Medical Practice Act), and would be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.
12.1	Pursuant to the provisions of 24 Del.C. §1713(d) the Board adopts the following regulation regarding requirements for continuing medical education as a prerequisite for renewal of registrations to practice medicine in the State of Delaware. Prior to renewal of registrations to practice medicine in this State a physician must be prepared to supply the Board with proof that he has completed forty (40) hours per registration period of continuing medical education in Category I courses approved by the American Medical Association (AMA) or equivalent courses approved by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) since the time of the physician's last renewal of his registration. Individuals enrolled in approved medical or osteopathic resident or fellowship training programs may be requested to submit proof of satisfactory participation in lieu of approved continuing medical education credits. Certification by the Medical Society of Delaware that a physician has completed such continuing medical education since the time of his last renewal of his registration shall be acceptable proof of completion of these requirements.
12.2	A physician who is renewing his registration for the first time and who has been licensed to practice medicine in Delaware for more than one year shall be prepared to supply the Board with proof that he has completed twenty hours of continuing medical education in Category I courses approved by the AMA or equivalent courses approved by the AOA. A physician who is renewing his registration for the first time and who has been licensed to practice medicine in Delaware for less than one year shall not be required to meet any continuing medical education requirements until the time of the next subsequent renewal of his registration.
12.3	The Board may, upon application from the physician, waive the requirements of the regulation for good cause shown. The Board will consider good cause to have been shown if the lack of compliance with this regulation was due to causes beyond the physician's control.
13.1.1.7.1	The supervising physician cannot be involved in patient care in name only and must provide adequate supervision. The supervising physician must be available for consultation, during the patient encounter, when necessary as defined under supervision in the 24 Del.C. §1770A(3).
13.1.1.7.2	No supervising physician may supervise more than 4 physician assistants at any given time unless granted an exemption by the Board. As provided in 24 Del.C. §1771(f) and (h) the Board may increase or decrease the number of physician assistants being supervised. The Board may issue an exemption to increase the number of physician assistants supervised by a physician upon written application filed by the supervising physician demonstrating good cause for the request. Requests for exemption will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The requesting physician has the burden of demonstrating that the granting of an exemption will not endanger the public health, safety, or welfare.
13.1.1.7.3	Any physician desiring to supervise an assistant who will perform acupuncture upon a patient shall make a medical evaluation of the patient and determine that acupuncture treatment is medically appropriate prior to the commencing of any acupuncture treatment by a physician assistant. Such evaluation will be made on the patient's initial contact with the physician without referral. A physician assistant employed by a physician for the purpose of administering an acupuncture treatment to patients shall not administer such treatment unless an initial evaluation by the physician has been made. In addition, no subsequent acupuncture treatments of a patient shall occur unless the physician has requested such treatment. No physician shall supervise a physician assistant who administers acupuncture treatment to patients unless the physician is proficient in the field of acupuncture and has assured himself that the physician assistant is also proficient in the administration of acupuncture treatment. A physician assistant who administers acupuncture treatment to patients at the direction of a physician shall administer such treatment only within the physical confines of the physician's office at such times when the physician is physically present on the premises and immediately available for consultation.
13.1.2	Legend - For the purpose of these rules and regulations the term "legend" is defined as any drug containing the statement "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription" required by section 503(b)(4) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act as part of the labeling of all prescription drugs (and only such drugs). A "legend" drug is thus a prescription drug, III.B.3 and 24 Del.C. §2502(22).
13.2.1	Physician Assistants must renew their license on a biennial basis by payment of appropriate fees as established by 24 Del.C. §1774A.
13.2.2	Completion of required renewal form, and submission of documentation of one hundred (100) hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME), 50 hours of Category 1 during every 2 year cycle. A licensee who submits proof of holding current certification from the NCCPA shall be deemed to have met this requirement.
13.3.1.1	Prescriptive authority is a delegated medical service by the supervising physician.
13.3.1.2	Prescriptive authority will be practice specific of the supervising physician.
13.3.1.3	PAs may prescribe legend medication including Schedule II-V controlled substances, (as defined in the Controlled Substance Act). parenteral medications, medical therapeutics, devices and diagnostics.
13.3.1.4	PAs will be assigned a provider identifier number as outlined by the Division of Professional Regulation.
13.3.1.5.1	PAs must register with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and use such DEA number for controlled substance prescriptions.
13.3.1.5.2	PAs must register biennially with the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services in accordance with 16 Del.C. §4732(a).
13.3.1.7	PA prescriptions must include the Division of Professional Regulation provider identifier number.
13.3.1.8	PA prescriptions for a controlled substance must include the PAs DEA number, as well as the Division of Professional Regulation provider identifier number.
13.3.1.9	As a delegated authority by the supervising physician PAs may request and issue professional samples of legend and over-the-counter medications. Professional samples must be labeled in compliance with 24 Del.C. §2522(c).
14.1.1	Upon notification of the receipt of an application signed by the applicant accompanied by a letter of recommendation from the Paramedic Administrator of the Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline (Board) may grant initial certification pursuant to 16 Del.C. §9809(a) to a paramedic whose application establishes that the applicant has meet all of the following course requirements and standards.
14.1.3.4	PHTLS (Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support) or BTLS-Advanced (Basic Trauma Life Support).
14.1.4	Certification by the Paramedic Administrator that the applicant, upon a valid offer of employment and/or an affiliation with an OEMS approved advanced life support service, has satisfactory completed such written and practical examinations as determined by the State EMS Medical Director.
14.2.1.1	Current registration as an Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (except for those paramedics who have been continuously employed as a Delaware Paramedic since before January 1, 1990).
14.2.1.2.1	Forty-eight (48) hours of an EMT-Paramedic Refresher Education Program approved by the State EMS Medical Director.
14.2.1.2.2	Twenty-four (24) hours of continuing medical education approved by the State EMS Medical Director.
14.2.1.2.3	Possession of current course completion cards or approval of an equivalent level of instruction by the State EMS Medical Director in each of the following disciplines. There cannot be a lapse in course completion cards in any of the referenced disciplines at any time during the re-certification/re-registration cycle.
14.2.1.2.7	PHTLS (Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support) or BTLS-Advanced (Basic Trauma Life Support).
14.2.1.2.8.1	That the applicant has demonstrated competency in the management of stable and unstable patients presenting with medical and/or traumatic emergencies by the State and respective agency Medical Director.
14.2.1.2.8.2	That the applicant has successfully completed such interviews and competency evaluations as required by the State EMS Medical Director.
14.2.1.2.8.3	That the applicant is employed and/or affiliated with an OEMS recognized advanced life support service.
15.2.10	§614. Assault on a sports official.
15.2.29	§653. Issuing abortional articles.
15.2.48	§780. Female genital mutilation.
15.2.54	§791. Acts constituting coercion (where injury or property damage occurs).
15.3.11	§832. Robbery in the first degree.
15.3.53	§912. Fraudulent receipt of public lands;.
15.3.64	§938. Failure to promptly cease electronic communication upon request (felony).
15.3.66	§1003. Bigamous marriage contracted outside the State.
15.4.10	§1112. Sexual offenders; prohibitions from school zones.
15.5.25	§1260. Misuse of prisoner mail.
15.5.29	§1263A. Interfering with child witness.
15.5.36	§1273. Unlawful grand jury disclosure.
15.6	Any crime which involves offenses against a public health order and decency which may tend to bring discredit upon the profession, specifically including the below listed crimes from Title 11 of the Delaware Code Annotated which evidence a lack of appropriate concern for the safety and well being of another person or persons in general or sufficiently flawed judgment to call into question the individual’s ability to make health care decisions or advise upon health care related matters for other individuals.
15.6.9	§1333. Trading in human remains and associated funerary objects.
15.6.13	§1340. Desecration of burial place.
15.6.15	§1343. Patronizing a prostitute prohibited.
15.6.21	§1365. Obscene literature harmful to minors.
15.7.3	§4752A.Unlawful delivery of noncontrolled substance.
15.7.4	§4753. Prohibited acts C.
15.7.5	§4753A.Trafficking in marijuana, cocaine, illegal drugs, methamphetamines, L.S.D., or designer drugs.
15.7.7	§4754A.Possession and delivery of noncontrolled prescription drug.
15.7.14	§4768. Distribution, delivery or possession of controlled substance in or within 300 feet of park, recreation area, church, synagogue or other place of worship.
15.8.21	§1471. Prohibited acts (felony).
15.8.25	§3534. Attempt to intimidate.
15.8.28	Title 7 §1717. Unauthorized acts against a service guide or seeing eye dog.
15.8.36	§9016. Filing false claim [under Victims’ Compensation Fund].
15.8.37	Title 12 §210. Alteration, theft or destruction of Will.
15.8.38	Title 16 §1136. Abuse or neglect of a patient or resident of a nursing facility.
15.8.40	§2133. Penalties; jurisdiction of justices of the peace.
15.8.50	§2760. Duplication, reproduction, altering, or counterfeiting of driver’s licenses or identification cards.
15.8.53	§4177. Driving a vehicle while under the influence or with a prohibited alcohol content; evidence; arrests; and penalties.
15.8.65	§6710. Unlawful possession of assigned titles, assigned registration cards, vehicle identification plates and warranty stickers.
15.9	Any crime which is a violation of Title 24, Chapter 17 (Delaware Medical Practices Act) as it may be amended from time to time or of any other statute which requires the reporting of a medical situation or condition to state, federal or local authorities or a crime which constitutes a violation of the Medical Practice Act of the state in which the conviction occurred or in which the physician is licensed.
15.10	The Board reserves the jurisdiction and authority to modify this regulation as and if it becomes necessary to either add or delete crimes including such additions as may be required on an emergency basis under 29 Del.C. §10119 to address imminent peril to the public health, safety or welfare. The Board also specifically reserves the jurisdiction to review any crime committed by an applicant for licensure as a physician and to determine whether to waive the disqualification under 24 Del.C. §1720(d).
16.2	The fees set forth in section 30.1 above shall apply whether the records are produced in paper or electronic format.
16.3	The full cost of reproduction may be charged for copies of records not susceptible to photostatic reproduction, such as radiology films, models, photographs or fetal monitoring strips.
16.4	Payment of all costs may be required in advance of release of the records except for records requested to make or complete an application for a disability benefits program.
17.1	Purpose: The Legislature has created the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline to assure the protection of the public from persons who do not meet the minimum requirements for safe practice or who pose a danger to the public. Pursuant to 24 Del.C. §1713(f), the Board provides the disciplinary guidelines it will apply to licensees regulated under 24 Delaware Code, Chapter 17, after a full investigation and at the conclusion of a hearing after finding violations of the Board’s statute and/or regulations. The purpose of this rule is to notify applicants of the ranges of penalties which may be imposed unless the Board finds grounds to deviate from the guidelines due to aggravating or mitigating circumstances (Rules 31.12 and 31.13). The practice of medicine is already subject to both civil and criminal penalties. Recognizing its role as protector of the public’s health, safety, and welfare, the Board offers these guidelines as a means to improve the quality of medical care and not to enforce the penal code, a responsibility left to law enforcement and to the courts. The purpose of imposing discipline is to sanction licensees for violation; deter them from future violations; to offer opportunities for rehabilitation when appropriate; and to dissuade other applicants and licensees from committing disciplinable offenses.
17.2	Violations and Range of Penalties: When imposing discipline, the Board shall act in accordance with the following disciplinary guidelines and shall impose a penalty within the range corresponding to the violations unless grounds to deviate are found. The following identification of categories of offenses and summary explanations are intended to be descriptive only; the full language of each statutory provision cited must be consulted in order to determine the conduct included.
17.4	Incompetence is failing to exercise appropriate professional judgment or failing to utilize skill to a degree showing a lack of general competence.
17.5	Misconduct is that conduct which is recognized to be unsafe or improper by the ethical and competent members of the profession. The term also includes, but is not limited to, general conduct that is dishonorable or unprofessional and that is not addressed in other categories within these guidelines, and includes acts prohibited by policies expressed in legislation.
17.6	Criminal Conduct is conduct which violates rules and statutes that define conduct prohibited by the government. Such unprofessional conduct reflects upon the licensee’s fitness and qualifications to practice in the healthcare field and detracts from the trust of the public.
17.7	Sexual Misconduct – These guidelines cannot define or foresee all the possible scenarios of sexual misconduct. The professional boundary required between physician and patient is based upon the fiduciary relationship in which the patient entrusts his or her welfare to the physician, reflects the physician’s respect for the patient. That boundary, once crossed, severely impacts the patient’s well-being on an individual basis, and causes distrust to other professional relationships in general. Sexual misconduct is a harmful example of a boundary violation, occurring in multiple contexts and involving a wide range of behaviors. Sexual misconduct includes but is not limited to, sexual impropriety towards a patient, sexual conduct towards patients, sexual harassment in the workplace facilitating a hostile work environment, sexual conduct between supervisors and subordinates, the commission of sexual assault and other sexual crimes.
17.7.1	Sexual involvement can occur in circumstances involving two consenting adults. However, sexual involvement with a current patient is considered misconduct. It is the responsibility of the physician to transfer the patient’s care to another health care provider if they foresee a romantic or sexual relationship developing.
17.7.2	Sexual involvement with former patients is misconduct when the licensee exploits knowledge or information obtained from the previous physician-patient relationship. Sexual or romantic relationships between physicians and their patients may exploit the vulnerability of the patient and may obscure the physician’s objective judgment concerning the patient’s health care. Sexual misconduct between a physician and a patient is never diagnostic or therapeutic. Romantic or intimate relationships may impede the physician’s ability to confront the patient about noncompliance with treatment or to bring up unpleasant medical information. Physicians must set aside their own needs or interests in the service of addressing the patient’s needs. The physician-patient relationship depends upon the ability of the patient to have absolute confidence and trust in the physician, and a patient has the right to believe that a physician is dedicated solely to the patient’s best interests. When considering action related to sexual involvement with a former patient the Board should consider the extent, if any, to which the (medical provider) exploited the previous patient-provider relationship.
17.7.4.2	offering clinical services or prescriptions in exchange for sexual favors.
17.8	Billing/Business Issues, includes but is not limited to, charging grossly exorbitant fees for services, failure to report laboratory costs and failure to disclose to the patient a financial interest.
17.10	Impairment is a condition which renders the licensee unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill or safety. Impaired licensees are not only at risk of causing patient harm but are also at risk of causing significant personal endangerment. Impairments include drug abuse, alcohol abuse, and mental or physical conditions that impede the licensee’s ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety.
17.11	Administrative Misconduct is conduct that fails to adhere to the standards required for the regulation of the profession. All licensees in their practice have not only professional medical requirements but administrative requirements that are integral to their performance as a licensed physician. Administrative misconduct includes, but is not limited to, disregard of continuing medical education requirements.
17.11.2	Failure to comply with CME requirements - $1,000 fine and requirement to complete CME within 60 days and license suspended until CME completed, if not completed within 60 days.
17.12	Inappropriate Prescribing is prescribing that fails to follow medically accepted standards to ensure the patients health and safety. It includes, but is not limited to, misconduct as the failure to follow required procedures that have been established to ensure prescriptions are legitimate, prescribing to family or friends who suffer from addiction or misuse, diversion for self use, and criminal trafficking in dangerous drugs.
17.13	Patient Records Violations – Patient records consist of documentation that reflects the physician-patient relationship and any misuse of the documentation constitutes a patient records violation. Failure to adequately maintain patient records includes, but is not limited to, misconduct such as the failure to adequately document evaluation and/or treatment of the patient, failure to adequately maintain or store the records, and failure to allow the patient or the patient’s authorized representative access to the records.
17.16	Applicability: These guidelines are applicable to all professions or occupations regulated under the Medical Practice Act. The guidelines will be construed to apply to any substantially similar violations or offenses under the specific statutory or regulatory provisions applicable to those professions or occupations regardless of whether the code section or regulation is specifically referenced herein.
The diagnosis and treatment of pain is integral to the practice of medicine. Licensed practitioners view pain management as a part of quality medical practice for all patients with pain, acute or chronic, and it is especially urgent for patients who experience pain as a result of terminal illness. Licensed practitioners should become knowledgeable about assessing patients' pain and effective methods of pain treatment, as well as statutory requirements for prescribing controlled substances. These regulations are primarily directed to the treatment of chronic pain but may be applicable to prescribing controlled substances for the treatment of acute pain when clinically appropriate.
18.1.1.4	the presence of one or more recognized medical indications for the use of a controlled substance.
18.2	Treatment Plan- A written treatment plan is required and must state goals and objectives that will be used to determine treatment success, such as pain relief and improved physical and psychosocial function, and should indicate if any further diagnostic evaluations or other treatments are planned. The treatment plan must address whether treatment modalities or a rehabilitation program are necessary depending on the etiology of the pain and the extent to which the pain is associated with physical and psychosocial impairment. After treatment begins, the practitioner must adjust drug therapy to the individual medical needs of each patient.
18.3	Informed Consent - The practitioner must discuss the risks and benefits of the use of controlled substances with the patient, persons designated by the patient or with the patient's surrogate or guardian if the patient is without medical decision-making capacity.
18.4.3	reasons for which drug therapy may be discontinued (e.g., violation of agreement).
18.4.4	a requirement that the patient receive prescriptions from one licensed practitioner and one pharmacy where possible.
18.5.1	continuation or modification of controlled substances for pain management therapy depending on the practitioner's evaluation of the patient's progress toward treatment goals and objectives.
18.5.2	satisfactory response to treatment as indicated by the patient's decreased pain, increased level of function, or improved quality of life. Objective evidence of improved or diminished function must be monitored and information from family members or other caregivers should be considered in determining the patient's response to treatment.
18.5.3	if the patient's progress is unsatisfactory, the practitioner shall assess the appropriateness of continued use of the current treatment plan and consider the use of other therapeutic modalities.
18.9	Compliance with Controlled Substances Laws and Regulations- To prescribe, dispense or administer controlled substances, the practitioner must be licensed in the state and comply with all applicable federal and state regulations. Licensed practitioners are referred to the Practitioner's Manual of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and specific rules governing controlled substances as well as applicable state regulations.
18.10.1	Acute Pain- Acute pain is the normal, predicted physiological response to a noxious chemical, thermal or mechanical stimulus and typically is associated with invasive procedures, trauma and disease. It is generally time-limited.
18.10.2	Addiction- Addiction is a primary, chronic, neurobiologic disease, with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations. It is characterized by behaviors that include the following: impaired control over drug use, craving, compulsive use, and continued use despite harm. Physical dependence and tolerance are normal physiological consequences of extended opioid therapy for pain and are not the same as addiction.
18.10.3	Chronic Pain- Chronic pain is a state in which pain persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease or healing of an injury, or that may or may not be associated with an acute or chronic pathologic process that causes continuous or intermittent pain over months or years.
18.10.4	Licensed Practitioner - Licensed practitioner means those licensed individuals with prescriptive authority regulated under the Medical Practice Act including, but not limited to, physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners, except as exempted by 16 Del.C. §4798(b)(9).
18.10.5	Pain- An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage.
18.10.6	Physical Dependence- Physical dependence is a state of adaptation that is manifested by drug class-specific signs and symptoms that can be produced by abrupt cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug, and/or administration of an antagonist. Physical dependence, by itself, does not equate with addiction.
18.10.7	Pseudo addiction- The iatrogenic syndrome resulting from the misinterpretation of relief seeking behaviors as though they are drug-seeking behaviors that are commonly seen with addiction. The relief seeking behaviors resolve upon institution of effective analgesic therapy.
18.10.8	Substance Abuse- Substance abuse is the use of any substance(s) for non-therapeutic purposes or use of medication for purposes other than those for which it is prescribed.
18.10.9	Tolerance- Tolerance is a physiologic state resulting from regular use of a drug in which an increased dosage is needed to produce a specific effect, or a reduced effect is observed with a constant dose over time. Tolerance may or may not be evident during opioid treatment and does not equate with addiction.
19.1	A remote, audio-only examination is not an "appropriate in-person examination" as that term is used in 24 Del.C. §1769D(b)(4).
19.2	No opioid prescribing is permitted via telemedicine with the exception of addiction treatment programs offering medication assisted treatment that have received a Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) waiver to use telemedicine through DSAMH's licensure or renewal process as outlined in 16 DE Admin. Code 6001 Substance Abuse Facility Licensing Standards Sec. 4.15. All other controlled substance prescribing utilizing telemedicine is held to the same standards of care and requisite practice as prescribing for in-person visits.
19.3	For formation of the physician-patient relationship using audio and visual communications pursuant to 24 Del.C. §1769D(h)(3), the audio and visual communications must be live, real-time communications.
19.4	"Major medical specialty societies" as the term is used in 24 Del.C. §1769D(h)(4) means specialty societies that are members of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies.

References: §1722
 §1720
 §1720
 §1720
 §1702
 §1713
 §1770
 §1771
 §2502
 §1774
 §4732
 §2522
 §9809
	§614
	§653
	§780
	§791
	§832
	§912
	§938
	§1003
	§1112
	§1260
	§1263
	§1273
	§1333
	§1340
	§1343
	§1365
	§4752
	§4753
	§4753
	§4754
	§4768
	§1471
	§3534
 §1717
	§9016
 §210
 §1136
	§2133
	§2760
	§4177
	§6710
 §10119
 §1720
 §1713
 §4798
 §1769
 §1769
 §1769