Tyler Arnold v. Department of Health

FILED
March 31, 2016
In the Office of the Clerk of Court
WA State Court of Appeals, Division III

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION THREE

TYLER ARNOLD and JASON )
SWANSON, ) No. 32055-3-111
)
Appellants, )
)
v. )
) UNPUBLISHED OPINION
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, )
)
Respondent. )

KORSMO, J. - At issue in this appeal is whether the authority of the Department

of Health (DOH) to regulate the unauthorized practice of medicine extends to tattoo

artists who use a laser device to remove tattoos. Specifically, does use of a laser device

to remove tattoos constitute the practice of medicine? We conclude that DOH had the

authority to regulate the device in question and affirm the fines imposed on appellants

Tyler Arnold and Jason Swanson.

FACTS

The appellants are licensed tattoo artists who operate tattoo parlors in both the city

of Spokane and the city of Spokane Valley. As pertinent here, they also remove tattoos

using a Palomar Q-YAG 5 laser device that they acquired in 2008 from a company in
No. 32055-3-III
Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't of Health

Texas. The two men underwent a one day training in the use of the device by a registered

nurse in California.

Someone complained to the DOH in 2009 concerning the use of the Q-YAG 5

device and an investigation ensued. In 2012 DOH sent both Mr. Arnold and Mr.

Swanson notices of intent to issue cease and desist orders related to the unauthorized

practice of medicine for the use of the Q-YAG 5 device. The charges were contested in

an administrative hearing before a Health Law Judge, Jerry Mitchell. ·

The appellants testified at the hearing and also called an expert, Patrick Clark, to

discuss laser devices. Tattoos are created by depositing ink, in particles too large to be

absorbed and removed from the body, between layers of the skin. The Q-YAG 5 is a

laser device designed to remove tattoos, hair, vascular lesions, and pigmented lesions. It

removes tattoos by passing through the upper layer of skin and heating the ink so that it

breaks into smaller particles that can be absorbed by the body. Multiple treatment

sessions may be required to remove a tattoo.

The operating manual for the Q-YAG 5 indicates that a "complete medical

history" should be obtained from the patient and lists some of the specific medical

conditions and types of medication that can affect the laser treatment. Administrative

Record (AR) at 188-189. The consent and information forms used by the appellants

explain the treatment process and some of its possible side effects, and solicit some of the

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Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't ofHealth

required medical information from their clientele. AR at 164-173. The consent form also

warned that "redness, bleeding, swelling, blistering, and/or very rarely infection or

scarring of the areas to be treated" could result. AR at 173.

Judge Mitchell determined that use of the device to remove tattoos did constitute

the practice of medicine, finding specifically that the operator's manual indicated the

device should be used "based on the physician's knowledge and experience, and a

physician is responsible for correct diagnosis and for all treatment results." AR at 219-

220. Neither Mr. Arnold nor Mr. Swanson were medically trained. Because lasers

penetrate the skin and alter tissue, they are considered medical devices under WAC 246-

919-605. AR at 220.

The health law judge ordered both men to permanently cease and desist from

using lasers to remove tattoos and fined them $1,000 each. The judge found that the

medical risk to patients was an aggravating factor in assessing punishment, but also found

as a mitigating factor that neither man had harmed a patient. AR at 223.

Both men appealed to superior court. The court determined that substantial

evidence supported the administrative findings and conclusion that laser tattoo removal

constituted the practice of medicine. The case was then timely appealed to this court and

argued to a panel.

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Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't ofHealth

ANALSYIS

Ultimately, this case turns on the definition of practicing medicine under our

statutes. Both parties present very technical arguments. The appellants contend that

because their laser only penetrates one layer of skin, but not all layers, it does not

penetrate the body. DOH, stringing together its authority to act with wire and duct tape,

contends that any penetration of the skin constitutes the practice of medicine. Although

the statutory authorization to regulate the use of medical devices could be clearer, we

believe DOH has the better of the two arguments.

Under the Washington Administrative Procedure Act, ch. 34.05 RCW, an

appellate court will reverse an administrative decision solely for specific, enumerated

reasons. RCW 34.05.570. As relevant here, those reasons include the situation where an

agency's order is not supported by substantial evidence or is based on an error oflaw.

RCW 34.05.570(3)(d), (e). Like the superior court, this court reviews an administrative

determination for substantial evidence and gives de novo review to the conclusions of

law. Heidgerken v. Dep 't ofNatural Res., 99 Wn. App. 380, 384, 993 P.2d 934 (2000).

RCW 18.71.011 defines the practice of medicine. As relevant here, a person

practices medicine if he or she: "Severs or penetrates the tissues of human beings." RCW

18.71.011(3). The medical quality assurance commission (MQAC) was created to

regulate the practice of medicine by licensed physicians and physician assistants. RCW

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Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't of Health

18.71.002, .003, 71A.010. To that end, the commission was authorized, inter alia, to

"adopt such rules as are not inconsistent with the laws of this state as may be determined

necessary or proper to carry out the purposes of this chapter." RCW 18.71.017(1).

"Rules, policies, and procedures developed by the commission must promote the delivery

of quality health care to the residents of the state of Washington." RCW 18.71.002.

Among the reasons cited for enacting chapter 18.71 RCW are the "exercise of the police

power of the state to protect public health," and "promote the welfare of the state." RCW

18. 71.003(1 ). The legislature also recognized that "the health and well-being of the

people of this state are of paramount importance." RCW 18.71.003(2). Accordingly,

"the conduct of members of the medical profession licensed to practice medicine ...

plays a vital role in preserving the health and well-being of the people of the state."

RCW 18.71.003(3). While the commission regulates physicians, it is the role of the

secretary of the DOH to enforce regulations against those who practice without a license.

RCW 18.130.020(10), (12), .040, .190(1).

The MQAC adopted regulations governing the operation of medical lasers by

physicians. 1 WAC 246-919-605 governs the use of lasers, light, radio frequency, and

plasma devices (LLRP devices). They are considered "medical devices that: (a) Use a

1
Comparable regulations governing laser use by physician assistants are found in
WAC 246-918-125.

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Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't of Health

laser . . . to topically penetrate skin and alter human tissue; and (b) Are classified by the

federal Food and Drug Administration as prescription devices." WAC 246-919-605(1).

The regulation then goes on to state:

(2) Because an LLRP device penetrates and alters human tissue, the
use of an LLRP device is the practice of medicine under RCW 18.71.011.
The use of an LLRP device can result in complications such as visual
impairment, blindness, inflammation, bums, scarring, hypopigmentation
and hyperpigmentation.
(3) Use of medical devices using any form of energy to penetrate or
alter human tissue for a purpose other than the purpose set forth in
subsection (1) of this section constitutes surgery and is outside the scope of
this section.

WAC 246-919-605.

Ensuing portions of the regulation require physicians to be appropriately trained in

the LLRP device, conform to standard medical practice, take a medical history from the

patient, examine and diagnose the patient, obtain informed consent to recommended

treatment, and provide instructions for both emergency and follow-up care. WAC 246-

919-605(4)-(6). A physician, while remaining responsible for the patient's safety, may

delegate the treatment to a properly trained operator in enumerated Circumstances. WAC

246-919-605(7)-(10).

The appellants contend both that the health law judge erred in finding that the laser

penetrates the skin and alters human tissue, as well as in his legal conclusion that the use

of the Q-YAG 5 device to remove tattoos constituted the practice of medicine. Br. of

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Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't of Health

Appellant at 1. These challenges invoke our review for substantial evidence of the

factual findings and de novo consideration of the legal conclusion. RCW

34.05.570(3)(d), (e).

Substantial evidence exists if the evidence is sufficient to persuade a fair-minded

rational person of the truth of the evidence. In re Estate ofJones, 152 Wn.2d 1, 8, 93

P.3d 147 (2004). Pointing to testimony that the Q-YAG 5 "looks through healthy tissue"

to seek out ink, appellants contend that the finding that the device "penetrates the skin" is

unsupported by substantial evidence. 2 Br. of Appellant at 7. This argument relies on

definitions of "penetrate" and "skin" that did not have to be accepted by the health law

judge.

Appellants' argument is two-fold-"skin" encompasses all layers of the skin and

"penetrates" means piercing through the entire skin. However, the appellants cite no

authority suggesting that "skin" must mean all layers of skin cells. Moreover, a common

understanding of the word "penetrate" would include merely passing into, rather than

completely piercing. See WEBSTER'S THIRD NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY 1670

(1993) (defining "penetrate" as "to pass into or through").

2Although not assigning error to the finding, appellants make a similar challenge to
the finding that "tattoo ink lies beneath the skin." Br. of Appellant at 6-7. This argument
fails for the same reason that its "penetrates the skin" argument fails.

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Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't of Health

The evidence in the record is more than sufficient to support the finding that use of

the Q-YAG 5 device to remove tattoos penetrates the skin. The witnesses at the hearing

testified interchangeably that tattoos lie under the dermis or between the layers of skin.

In either instance the testimony also indicated that the lasers passed through healthy skin

to target those tattoos. Consequently, there is substantial evidence to support the finding

of fact that use of the Q-YAG 5 device "penetrates the skin."

The remaining question3 involves the challenge to the conclusion of law that use

of the Q-YAG 5 device to remove tattoos constitutes the practice of medicine. That

conclusion necessarily follows from the factual finding that the device "penetrates the

skin," thus satisfying the statutory definition of the practice of medicine-"penetrates the

tissues of human beings." RCW 18.71.011(3).

Additionally, that conclusion is supported by the actual practice of using the

device. The Q-YA G 5 is a prescription device subject to federal (and state) regulation as

a medical device. The operator is expected to be a health care provider who will take a

3
Because RCW 18.71.011(3) defines practicing medicine in terms of penetrating
human tissue, we need not consider the WAC definition of a medical laser device. That
said, whether the Q-YAG 5 actually alters human tissue under WAC 246-919-605(1)
presents a close question since the device is designed to work solely on the ink, a foreign
object in the body. However, the side effects of laser use such as burning or scarring
certainly can "alter" bodily tissue even if they do not do so in every case. But, even if the
laser did not "alter" human tissue, using the device to penetrate a human body for any
other purpose would fall into the category of "surgery" under WAC 246-919-605(3 ),
leaving the appellants subject to even greater regulation.

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Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't of Health

medical history from the patient, diagnose the patient's condition, select an appropriate

treatment, advise the patient of the risks of the treatment, obtain the patient's informed

consent to the treatment, and provide any necessary aftercare. The WAC provisions

largely parallel the operating instructions. WAC 246-919-605(4)-(6). The appellants'

own forms mimic those requirements-they essentially perform the same function and

undertake the same responsibilities that a physician using the device would do. An

unlicensed person performing medical services is practicing medicine without a license.

DOH properly stepped in to prohibit the activity.

While we affirm the issuance of the two cease and desist orders, we make two

additional observations. First, the authority to regulate medical devices could be more

clearly stated in our statutes so that DOH or the MQAC did not have to make technical

arguments tying the devices to the practice of medicine in order to control unauthorized

use of prescription devices. Second, the appellants have demonstrated that the Q-YAG 5

device has been safely operated by people who are not in the health care industry to the

apparent benefit of the public. Cosmetic treatment is not typically covered by medical

insurance and there appears to be a need for a lower cost treatment option. Legislative or

administrative consideration of this problem might result in a different approach so that

tattoo removal could become available to all who desire it. Nonetheless, purchase of a

prescription medical device on the secondary market and operation of the device by those

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Arnold & Swanson v. Dep 't of Health

not subject to health care regulation do present issues of legitimate concern that DOH can

regulate for the safety of Washington citizens.

The orders are affirmed.

A majority of the panel has determined this opinion will not be printed in the

Washington Appellate Reports, but it will be filed for public record pursuant to RCW

2.06.040.

WE CONCUR:

?;Uc-w48-, ~?
Siddoway, C.J.

"'-"'r\.~t ... ~~c;.
Lawrence-Berrey, J.
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