Earning a license to practice chiropractic adjustment demonstrates your hard work and dedication to helping patients suffering from pain. Along with your ability to relieve discomfort comes the heavy responsibility to avoid inflicting harm. If a patient sustains a serious or fatal injury under your care, it may trigger an investigation that puts your license at risk.
Prioritizing patient safety
As a practicing chiropractor, you can diagnose and help patients manage concerns such as back pain, neck pain, whiplash, headache and similar conditions. Your practice involves performing a hands-on manipulation of the spine, neck and other parts of the body. Although chiropractic care is proven to be safe and effective, it comes with inherent risks.
To keep patients safe during a chiropractic adjustment, you must exercise a high level of care at all times. This includes thoroughly evaluating a patient for medical conditions that may make manipulation unsafe, applying only the appropriate amount of force during adjustments and maintaining open communication with the patient’s primary doctor.
The consequences of negligence
A misdiagnosis and using improper techniques may lead to catastrophic injuries. Unfortunately, some patients suffered tragic outcomes after undergoing chiropractic adjustment, including herniated discs, nerve injuries and even death.
If a patient complains about your care, the board may be inclined to launch an investigation. The California Board of Chiropractic Examiners oversees licensed practitioners and ensures adherence to professional standards. Any deviation, such as harming a patient because of negligence, may result in disciplinary action against your license.
There will always be some degree of risk in chiropractic care, but your commitment to keeping patients safe can help prevent or minimize such occurrences. If you are facing allegations of misconduct, consider seeking legal counsel immediately.
Even when you believe you have taken every precaution to keep a patient safe, a proper investigation and solid evidence can support your case. The earlier you get help, the sooner you can build a compelling defense.
