I realize that what I am about to post will not be popular among many chiropractors. Especially those who like to go rogue and go into hospitals and adjust people, infants, children, pregnant women etc. without hospital privileges. But please consider another perspective related to RISK MANAGEMENT.

I am talking about the risk to you, your life, your family and your future.

I do not have to be convinced that a child in NICU may need to be checked and adjusted (or anyone else in a hospital for that matter). I grew up in chiropractic within the subluxation faction. My first chiropractor was Pasquale Cerasoli and my entire professional career in chiropractic has been focused on defending the right of people to be checked for subluxations and adjusted when necessary.

This is from the perspective of the CHIROPRACTOR'S RISK.

After all, that is my job in the malpractice world.

Before you enter that hospital to adjust anyone, especially a child in NICU, please consider the following:

Do you have HOSPITAL PRIVILEGES?

Most hospitals are not going to be happy that a licensed health care provider (especially a chiropractor) came in and managed a patient of theirs without having such privileges.

They are called PRIVILEGES after all.

And don't get me started on nurses or doctors that look the other way for you. They will suffer as well.

If you are going to make a decision to move forward and adjust without authorization, consent, proper recordkeeping and documentation are you prepared to be ARRESTED, taken out in handcuffs, put in the back of a police car and charged with a crime?

Are you prepared to be charged with manslaughter should the baby die? Even if it had nothing to do with you but it happened some time following your visit? I get that the parents may LOVE you but will that change after their child is dead?

Is EVERYONE in the family on board? You may be surprised to know how much influence family members have on convincing people to sue.

What about your own child? What are the risks of adjusting your own child in a hospital? Are you and your spouse on good terms - is he/she on board 110%?  What about the in-laws? Is the situation such that DFACS might be called on you?

In any event - Are you prepared to lose your license to practice chiropractic and face the reality of the effects this will have on you, your family and your children because you can no longer earn a living - or because you are in jail?

Are you honest enough with yourself to accept that doing this is taking on a serious RISK to you and your family?

Are you willing to accept the public's perception of the entire profession should things go badly as described above?

If you really want to adjust people in hospitals then follow the proper procedure, apply for hospital privileges, educate the medical staff on what you do and that you do not duplicate services. Imagine what could come of that as opposed to you being on the 6 o'cclock news being led into a police car in handcuffs.

If you do decide to throw caution to the wind and take on the risk to you and your family and go into the hospital without authorization, here is some friendly advice: Don't take a picture of it, post it on Facebook and brag about it.

Just another perspective.

As always I look forward to your feedback, questions and comments.

Matthew McCoy DC, MPH
drmccoy@chirofutures.org
CEO & Co-Founder
ChiroFutures Malpractice Program
http://www.chirofutures.org