Pre‐procedure

ActionRationale

1. 1.Show
   Take a full medical history from the patient.
   To ensure acupuncture is not contraindicated and to ascertain which treatment points need to be used. E
2. 2.Show
   Introduce yourself to the patient, explain and discuss the procedure with them, and gain their consent to proceed.
   To ensure that the patient feels at ease, understands the procedure and gives their valid consent (NMC [129], C).

Procedure

1. 3.Show
   Ask the patient to lie down.
   To reduce the risk of the patient fainting (White et al. [194], E).
2. 4.Show
   Decontaminate hands and apply personal protective equipment.
   To minimize the risk of infection (NHS England and NHSI [122], C).
3. 5.Show
   Give treatment.
    
4. 6.Show
   Count the needles used (use the empty introducers on the tray as a reminder).
   To ensure no needles are lost or miscounted (White et al. [194], E).
5. 7.Show
   Leave the needles in situ for 20 minutes; remove them if the patient cannot tolerate them. Stay with the patient throughout.
   To ensure safe treatment. E
6. 8.Show
   Remove the needles and count them as they are removed.
   To ensure no needles are lost or miscounted (White et al. [194], E).
7. 9.Show
   Ensure the patient feels okay; let the patient rest on the couch if they feel dizzy or otherwise affected.
   To reduce the risk of the patient fainting (White et al. [194], E).

Post‐procedure

1. 10.Show
   Document the needling points used on the patient's record.
   To ensure that the treatment can be replicated or adjusted at the next appointment according to the patient's response (White et al. [194], E).