Infection control-related disciplinary actions in acupuncture

Area of Science:

• Integrative Medicine
• Public Health
• Infection Control

Background:

• Acupuncture is a widely used traditional Chinese therapy integrated into conventional healthcare.
• While generally safe, acupuncture carries risks of viral and bacterial infections due to inadequate infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify infection control-related variances in acupuncture practices.
• To analyze disciplinary records from U.S. state acupuncture boards.

Main Methods:

• Review of publicly available disciplinary records from seven U.S. state acupuncture boards.
• Analysis of 28 disciplinary cases reported between 1997 and 2024.
• Categorization of 44 infection control variances into eight groups.

Main Results:

• Improper sharps disposal was the most common infection control variance.
• This issue often co-occurred with other deficiencies, indicating broader infection control problems.
• Disciplinary cases, though uncommon, highlight significant patient safety risks.

Conclusions:

• Consistent enforcement of infection prevention standards is crucial for acupuncture safety.
• Enhanced patient education is needed to recognize and report unsafe practices.
• Empowering patients to report adverse events or observe unsafe practices is vital for public health.