New guidelines from Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) went into effect following a case at Taichung Veterans General Hospital involving a medical device company representative allegedly participating in a surgical procedure. The incident, revealed earlier this year, involved a physician suspected of allowing a representative from Zhongrong Medical Materials to assist during surgery despite lacking medical qualifications. The new rules mandate that patients be fully informed about the surgical procedure beforehand and provide written consent. Critically, the guidelines explicitly prohibit anyone not directly involved in the medical team – such as medical device company personnel – from physically touching patients during operations. These measures aim to reinforce patient safety and uphold ethical standards within the healthcare system. The MOHW hopes this clarifies responsibilities and prevents future breaches of protocol, ensuring a more transparent and secure medical environment for patients.