1. (1) An acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner may accept or reject a patient, but shall respond to any reasonable request for services in the interest of public health and welfare.

2. (2) The attending acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner, without reasonable cause, shall not neglect, ignore, abandon, or refuse to treat a patient. If the acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner chooses to withdraw responsibility for a patient of record, the acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner shall:

   1. (a) Advise the patient in writing that treatment is being terminated and that another acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner should be sought for future care; and
   2. (b) Advise the patient that the acupuncturist or acupuncture and Eastern medicine practitioner shall remain reasonably available for up to fifteen calendar days from the date of such notice to address clinical concerns related to the care provided.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.06.160, chapter 18.06 RCW, 2019 c 308, 2020 c 229 and 2020 c 76. WSR 21-09-008, § 246-803-308, filed 4/8/21, effective 5/9/21. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.06.160. WSR 20-03-112, § 246-803-308, filed 1/15/20, effective 2/15/20.]