North Carolina Administrative Code › Title 21 - OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS › Chapter 42 - OPTOMETRY › Subchapter E - MODE OF PRACTICE › Section .0100 - RESPONSIBILITY FOR PATIENTS › Section 42E .0102 - PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

Current through Register Vol. 39, No. 2, July 15, 2024
In keeping with the professional code, the optometrist
					 shall:
(1) attend to the visual needs
				  of all those seeking his services without regard to financial
				  remuneration;
(2) maintain adequate
				  equipment and instruments in his office at all times to assure proper and
				  complete examination of patients. Such equipment and instruments shall include,
				  but not be limited to, the following: a direct ophthalmoscope; an indirect
				  ophthalmoscope; condensing lenses; proper instrumentation for foreign body
				  removal; biomicroscope; instrument for plotting central and peripheral fields;
				  applanation tonometer; distance and near acuity charts; test objects for
				  stereopsis and fusion; color vision testing apparatus; refractor, trial frame
				  or phorometer with trial case lenses; keratometer; and retinoscope;
(3) sterilize according to usage all
				  instruments or equipment used in the treatment of optometric patients,
				  including those instruments or equipment used for the removal of foreign bodies
				  from the external eye or its adnexa. All optometric offices shall follow
				  infection control recommendations as set forth in the infection control manual
				  as recommended by the American Optometric Association's Committee on Primary
				  Care and Ocular Disease, or in the clinical guidelines of the American
				  Optometric Association's Clinical Guidelines and Quality Assurance Coordinating
				  Committee or their successors including subsequent adoptions, amendments, and
				  editions. These materials are incorporated herein by reference. Copies are
				  available for inspection at the Board's office and may be obtained by paying a
				  fee of ten dollars ($10.00) to the Board;
(4) assist his patients in whatever manner
				  possible in obtaining further care when in his opinion other than his care is
				  needed;
(5) maintain adequate and
				  available records on every patient containing case history, findings,
				  diagnosis, treatment, and disposition. In compliance with this requirement, the
				  patient record shall include the name of the patient's family physician or any
				  other physician who may be consulted with regard to the care of the patient.
				  The name and dosage of any medication prescribed shall be recorded with the
				  diagnosis and instructions to the patient concerning follow-up;
(6) retain full and independent control of
				  and responsibility for patient records. This requirement does not preclude the
				  licensee from providing copies of patient spectacle prescriptions for
				  subsequent optical services, nor does it preclude the licensee from providing
				  copies of patient records to any entity with the consent and authorization of
				  the patient. Patient records shall be maintained by the optometrist responsible
				  for such records for a period of not less than 5 years following the last entry
				  into the patient's chart;
(7) treat
				  all information concerning his patients as confidential and not to be
				  communicated to others except when authorized to do so by the patient or
				  required by law;
(8) have an
				  established and appropriate procedure for the provision of eye care to his
				  patients in the event of an emergency outside of normal professional hours, or
				  when the licensee is not available due to vacation, personal illness,
				  attendance at professional meetings or continuing education programs, or other
				  absences of a similar nature. Patients shall be informed of such procedure. The
				  procedure referred to herein may include, but is not limited to, cooperative
				  arrangements with another licensed optometrist or a physician licensed under
				  North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 90, Article 1, a telephone answering
				  system or pager; or written or posted instructions to the patient;
(9) maintain full and independent control of
				  the terms and conditions of any professional liability insurance coverage
				  pertaining to his services.
Authority
					 G.S.
					 90-18;
					 90-114;
					 90-121.2;
					 90-127.2;
Eff.
					 February 1, 1976;
Readopted Eff. May 30, 1978;
Amended
					 Eff. April 1, 1993; June 1, 1989, September 30, 1981;
Temporary
					 Amendment Eff. September 15, 1997;
Amended Eff. August 1,
					 1998;
Pursuant to
					 G.S.
					 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without
					 substantive public interest Eff. May 23,
					 2015.