How Do I Comply With TMB’s Safe-Practice Standards?

 COVID_Declaration

If you still have questions about the Texas Medical Board’s (TMB) emergency rule establishing minimum safe-practice standards related to COVID-19, you’re not alone.

The Texas Medical Association continues to get plenty of inquiries about the rule, which – in part – requires physicians, their delegates, and patients to wear masks when the physician or delegate is less than 6 feet from the patient. The rule also requires certain medical settings to post a notice “in each public area and treatment room or area of the office, practice, or facility.”

Yesterday we published an excerpt from our newest Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that covered a particularly vexing question from physicians: What if a patient refuses to wear a face covering and no exception applies?

Today we present the entire FAQ, which is intended to provide more clarity on TMB’s minimum standards.

The FAQ provides answers to questions about the rule itself, Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive orders related to the rule, and a TMB frequently asked questions document on the rule.

Questions answered in TMA’s FAQ include:

  • Who do the minimum standards of safe practice apply to?
  • Who must wear a mask or face covering?
  • Must children wear a mask or face covering?
  • What happens if a violation of the rule occurs?
  • Can the attorney general or local law enforcement throw me in jail for a violation of the governor’s executive order (EO GA-19) and the board’s rule?

TMA also updated a whitepaper with more detailed information on this issue.

You can find TMA’s FAQ and whitepaper, along with the latest news, resources, and government guidance on COVID-19, by visiting TMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center regularly.

Last Updated On

May 14, 2020

Originally Published On

May 14, 2020

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