Check list of the minimum quality requirements for the practice of Acupuncture divided into the following categories:

- Provider: qualified / accredited acupuncturist, primarily chosen among the employees or contracted partners of theinstitution, duly licensed and registered as an Expert in Acupuncture by the Provincial Board of Medical Doctors and Dentists of Bologna;

- Materials: suitable and comfortable environment with adequate ventilation; sterile and disposable needles certified according to EU standards, electro-stimulators;

- Procedures: patient with prescription either from GP or any other medical specialist and diagnosis consistent with the mentioned resolution; initial evaluation to review medical history, clinical examination with TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) diagnosis and treatment planning (number and frequency of treatments); in case of acute pain, first treatment is performed; duration of first treatment: minimum of 30 minutes (60 minutes, if first treatment is included); duration of subsequent treatments: 30 minutes, including at least 20 minutes with needles inserted; after the first treatment, no more than two patients can be treated at the same time; use of an outpatient-dedicated folder, including a patient clinical diary; administration of patient satisfaction questionnaire