(a) The certificate to practice podiatric medicine authorizes the holder to practice podiatric medicine.

(b) As used in this chapter, “podiatric medicine” means the diagnosis, medical, surgical, mechanical, manipulative, and electrical treatment of the human foot, including the ankle and tendons that insert into the foot and the nonsurgical treatment of the muscles and tendons of the leg governing the functions of the foot.

Ask a business law question, get an answer ASAP!
Thousands of highly rated, verified business lawyers.
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(c) A doctor of podiatric medicine shall not administer an anesthetic other than local. If an anesthetic other than local is required for any procedure, the anesthetic shall be administered by another licensed health care practitioner who is authorized to administer the required anesthetic within the scope of his or her practice.

(d) (1) A doctor of podiatric medicine may do the following:

(A) Perform surgical treatment of the ankle and tendons at the level of the ankle pursuant to subdivision (e).

(B) Perform services under the direct supervision of a physician and surgeon, as an assistant at surgery, in surgical procedures that are otherwise beyond the scope of practice of a doctor of podiatric medicine.

(C) Perform a partial amputation of the foot no further proximal than the Chopart’s joint.

(2) Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to permit a doctor of podiatric medicine to function as a primary surgeon for any procedure beyond his or her scope of practice.

(e) A doctor of podiatric medicine may perform surgical treatment of the ankle and tendons at the level of the ankle only in the following locations:

(1) A licensed general acute care hospital, as defined in § 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.

(2) A licensed surgical clinic, as defined in § 1204 of the Health and Safety Code, if the doctor of podiatric medicine has surgical privileges, including the privilege to perform surgery on the ankle, in a general acute care hospital described in paragraph (1) and meets all the protocols of the surgical clinic.

(3) An ambulatory surgical center that is certified to participate in the Medicare program under Title XVIII (42 U.S.C. § 1395 et seq.) of the federal Social Security Act, if the doctor of podiatric medicine has surgical privileges, including the privilege to perform surgery on the ankle, in a general acute care hospital described in paragraph (1) and meets all the protocols of the surgical center.

(4) A freestanding physical plant housing outpatient services of a licensed general acute care hospital, as defined in § 1250 of the Health and Safety Code, if the doctor of podiatric medicine has surgical privileges, including the privilege to perform surgery on the ankle, in a general acute care hospital described in paragraph (1). For purposes of this section, a “freestanding physical plant” means any building that is not physically attached to a building where inpatient services are provided.

(5) An outpatient setting accredited pursuant to subdivision (g) of § 1248.1 of the Health and Safety Code.

(f) Notwithstanding subdivision (b), a doctor of podiatric medicine with training or experience in wound care may treat ulcers resulting from local and systemic etiologies on the leg no further proximal than the tibial tubercle.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 793, Sec. 1.5. (AB 1153) Effective January 1, 2018.)