COMDTINST 6320.4 governs Coast Guard policy for training, privileging, and clinical practice of auricular acupuncture.
View COMDTINST 6320.4 on armypubs.army.mil
The publication covers auricular acupuncture training, certification, clinical indications, contraindications, supplies, consent, and aftercare. It requires qualified providers to complete training, obtain supplemental privileges, document consent, and provide aftercare instructions.
Applies to: All Coast Guard unit commanders, commanding officers, officer-in-charge, deputy/assistant commandants, and chiefs of headquarters staff elements must comply with the provisions of this Instruction.
Only Coast Guard Medical Officers as defined in Reference (a) and equivalent Coast Guard contract healthcare providers may request supplemental clinical privileges for auricular acupuncture.
Healthcare providers requesting supplemental privileges for auricular acupuncture shall complete training in Battlefield Acupuncture at the Air Force Acupuncture Center at Joint Base Andrews, MD or at other DoD auricular acupuncture training sites which provide comparable “hands-on” experience with pain clinic patients.
To obtain supplemental privileges in the auricular acupuncture technique, healthcare providers must provide documentation of a one-time successful completion of an acceptable auricular acupuncture course to the Credentials Verification Organization.
Auricular acupuncture is authorized only for acute or chronic pain.
Auricular acupuncture will not be performed on immunocompromised patients or if there is an active infection involving the ear.