ALCOAST 157/24 - APR 2024 AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE CLINICAL SUPPLY UPDATE

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/03/2024 03:20 PM EDT

united states coast guard

R 031900Z APR 24 MID120001004126U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 157/24
SSIC 6320
SUBJ: AURICULAR ACUPUNCTURE CLINICAL SUPPLY UPDATE
A. Auricular Acupuncture, COMDTINST 6320.4
1. This ALCOAST provides an update to REF (A) and the kind of
acupuncture needles being used to minimize the risk of infection
and prevent nickel sensitization from stainless steel
acupuncture needles.
2. Paragraph 17.a. will now read as follows:
    a. Single-use gold or stainless-steel acupuncture needles can
be used at the discretion of the credentialed provider performing
the procedure.
3. This policy change will be incorporated into the next
revision of REF (A), which will be released within the next year.
4. This message will be cancelled on 03 APR 2025.
5. POC: CAPT Shane C. Steiner, Chief of Operational Medicine
(CG-1K21) Shane.C.Steiner@uscg.mil.
6. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Assistant Commandant for Health, Safety,
& Work-Life (CG-1K), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.