Ala. Admin. Code r. 140-X-8-.03

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 140-X-8-.03 - Protocols

(1) There shall be a standard general practice protocol, approved by both the Board of Athletic Trainers and the Board of Medical Examiners, which shall set forth the baseline scope of practice, privileges, and permissible skills of all athletic trainers licensed to practice in this state.

(2) There may be a standard specialty practice protocol for each of the following areas of practice for athletic trainers:

(a) Clinic and Hospital Protocol;

(b) Secondary Schools Protocol;

(c) Collegiate/Professional League Protocol; and

(d) Occupational Setting Protocol.

(3) In developing and evaluating the standard general and specialty practice protocols, the Advisory Council shall consider the level of education, training, and experience required of an athletic trainer or physician to safely perform the duties/procedures, the risks associated with the duties/procedures, the effectiveness and necessity of the duties/procedures, and the likelihood of positive patient outcomes.

(4) A physician and an athletic trainer may submit to the Advisory Council requests to deviate from their approved standard practice protocol(s). The Advisory Council may review and evaluate these requests and make a recommendation to the Board of Athletic Trainers and Board of Medical Examiners. The Advisory Council may not grant deviations from protocols, but may only make a non-binding recommendation to the Board of Athletic Trainers and Board of Medical Examiners. Both the Board of Athletic Trainers and the Board of Medical Examiners must approve any request to deviate from the model practice protocol.

(5) Protocols deviating from the standard protocols shall be submitted to the Advisory Council for review and recommendation for approval or denial. When evaluating whether to recommend the approval or denial of a non-standard protocol, the Advisory Council shall consider certain factors, including, but not limited to:

(a) The supervising physician's and athletic trainer(s)'s education, training, experience, and specialty;

(b) The supervising physician's and athletic trainer(s)'s disciplinary history and any licensure restrictions;

(c) Whether a proposed protocol is within the current standard of care for treatment of the disease or condition specified in the protocol, including usages known as "off-label," and whether the use is supported by evidence-based research;

(d) Whether the proposed protocol creates an undue risk of harm to patients; and

(e) The routine scope of practice and services provided by the collaborating physician and the athletic trainer(s).

After consideration of the factors listed herein, the Advisory Council may make a non-binding recommendation of approval or denial of a non-standard protocol in whole or in part.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 140-X-8-.03

Adopted by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XL, Issue No. 05, February 28, 2022, eff. 4/14/2022.

Authors: Advisory Council of AL Board of Medical Examiners and AL Board of Athletic Trainers

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 34-40-3(e), 34-40-3.2.