La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-5537

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section I-5537 - Physical and Occupational Therapy Services

A. If a facility admits persons that have a need for either physical or occupational therapy, those services shall be provided. These services may be provided either directly or through arrangements with an outside resource or with consultation from a qualified therapist. Therapy shall be done through personal contact between therapists and the persons in care or indirectly through contact between therapists and other persons involved with the individual.

B. Physical therapy and/or occupational therapy staff shall provide treatment training programs that are designed to preserve and improve abilities for independent function, such as range of motion, strength, tolerance, coordination, and activities of daily living. Also, to prevent, insofar as possible, irreducible or progressive disabilities, through means such as the use of orthotic and prosthetic appliances, assistant and adaptive devices, positioning, behavior adaptions, and sensory stimulation.

C. The therapist shall function closely with the individual's primary physician and with other medical specialists. Treatment-training progress shall be regularly recorded, evaluated periodically, and used as the basis for continuation or change of the person's program.

D. Evaluation results, treatment objectives, plans, procedures and continuing observations of treatment progress shall be recorded accurately, summarized and communicated to all physicians and other staff involved. These reports shall be used in evaluating progress and included in the individual's record.

E. There shall be available sufficient, appropriately qualified staff, and supporting personnel, to carry out the various physical and occupational therapy services in accordance with stated goals and objectives. Physical and occupational therapy personnel shall be assigned responsibilities in accordance with their qualification, delegated authority commensurate with their responsibilities and provided appropriate professional direction and consultation.

F. To provide efficient and effective physical and occupational therapy services, there shall be adequate space, facilities, equipment, supplies and resources.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-5537

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of the Secretary, Division of Licensing and Certification, LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R. S. 46:1971 through 1980.