As used in this Chapter:

            (1) “Board” means the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

            (2) “Licensed podiatric physicians and surgeons” means one licensed and holding a certificate under this Chapter.

            (3)(a)(i) “Podiatry” is that profession of the health sciences which deals with the prevention, examination, diagnosis, medical, surgical, and adjuvant treatment of the human foot. The “foot” is defined as that part of the human anatomy which consists of the tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, phalanges, and all supportive and/or connective tissue immediately adjacent thereto not to extend past the proximal end of the talus. Surgical treatment by podiatric physicians involving use of general or spinal anesthesia is prohibited unless such treatment is performed in a facility accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Hospitals or the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care. In the event that a facility has applied for accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation for Hospitals or the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care, such treatment may be performed in such facility but shall cease if the accrediting procedure exceeds two years or accreditation is not granted. Podiatry does not include the administration of general or spinal anesthetics by a podiatrist but does include the use of local anesthetics.

            (ii) Podiatry may also include treatment of the ankle, muscles, or tendons of the lower leg governing the functions of the foot and ankle by a podiatrist who has completed advanced training determined to be sufficient by the board at a program accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting association acceptable by the board. Implementation of the provisions of this Subparagraph shall be made pursuant to rules promulgated by the board which are predicated on the education or level of training, or both, of an applicant.

            (b) In any podiatric surgery requiring general or spinal anesthesia, the anesthetic shall be administered by a physician anesthesiologist or by a certified registered nurse anesthetist under the direction and supervision of a physician anesthesiologist who is proximately present in the operating suite. In any podiatric surgery requiring a spinal anesthetic, epidural anesthetic, or regional nerve block, the anesthetic or nerve block shall be administered by a physician anesthesiologist.

            Acts 1970, No. 585, §1; Amended by Acts 1975, No. 660, §1; Acts 1985, No. 800, §1; Acts 2007, No. 204, §1, eff. June 27, 2007.