New compulsory notification of invasive activities for non-medical practitioners in Hesse

Non-medical practitioners in Hesse will have to report so-called invasive activities to the health department
Non-medical practitioners in Hesse will have to report so-called invasive activities to the health department. Background is a change in the Infektionshygienverordnung by Art. 1 Third Amendments to the 8.12.2017 (GVBl. P. 453).

Actions against naturopaths due to the self-blood therapy in progress. Picture: thingamajiggs-fotolia

With the change of the Infektionshygienverordnung invasive activities, so for example injections, infusions, Aderlass or acupuncture in Hessen for Heilpraktiker are notifiable.

If you want to carry out these activities for the first time, you must report this in Hesse before starting work to the health department in the district where your practice is located.

For all non-medical practitioners who are already engaged in invasive activities and want to continue to do so, there is a transitional arrangement: they must report this to the Public Health Department within three months of 22 December 2017. Again, it is the responsibility of the health department in whose district your branch is located.

Further changes of the Infektionshygienverordnung relevant for HPs are:
Anyone performing skin or mucosal injury activities (invasive procedures) is obliged to carefully observe the rules of hygiene according to the current state of science and technology.

Also, in activities where injury to the skin or mucous membrane can not be ruled out (e.g., bloodless cupping), an individualized hygiene plan must be established.

Immediately before skin or mucosal injury activities a hygienic hand disinfection is carried out and germ-free disposable gloves are to be worn.
If reusable medical devices are used, evidence of hygiene must be provided. The certificate of competence is indicated with a 40-hour course with defined content. The corresponding amendment ordinance can be found here.