842 IAC 1-1-2 Standards of practice for physical therapy services

Sec. 2. (a) A physical therapy service shall be under the direction of a licensed physical therapist who is qualified by experience, demonstrated ability, and specialized education. The supervising physical therapist at all times shall be available and under all circumstances shall be responsible for the direction and the actions of the person supervised when services are performed by the physical therapist assistant, or the holder of a temporary permit issued under IC 25-27-1-8(d). For the holder of a temporary permit issued under IC 25-27-1-8(d), unless the supervising physical therapist is on the premises to provide constant supervision, the holder of a temporary permit shall meet with the physical therapist at least once each working day to review all patients' treatments. This meeting must include the actual presence of the physical therapist and the holder of a temporary permit. The patients' care shall always be the responsibility of the supervising physical therapist. Reports written by the holder of a temporary permit for inclusion in the patient record shall be countersigned by the physical therapist who may enter any remarks, revisions, or additions as the physical therapist deems appropriate. With respect to the supervision of the physical therapist assistants under IC 25-27-1-2(c), unless the supervising physical therapist is on the premises to provide constant supervision, the physical therapist assistant shall consult with the supervising physical therapist at least once each working day to review all patients' treatments. The supervising physical therapist shall examine each patient not less than: (1) every fourteen (14) days for inpatients in either a hospital or comprehensive rehabilitation facility; (2) the earlier of every ninety (90) days or six (6) physical therapy visits for patients in a facility for the developmentally disabled (DD) and school system patients; and (3) the earlier of every thirty (30) days or every fifteen (15) physical therapy visits for all other patients; to review the patients' treatments and progress. If this daily consultation is not face-to-face, the physical therapist may not supervise more than the equivalent of three (3) full-time physical therapist assistants. Consultation between a supervising physical therapist and the physical therapist assistant may be in person, by telephone, or by a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), so long as there is interactive communication concerning patient care. (b) A physical therapist shall develop a plan of care for each patient and shall be responsible for the plan implementation and modification. When a patient is referred for physical therapy by a referring provider, a physical therapist shall consult with the referring provider regarding any contraindicated or unjustified treatment. (c) The physical plant shall be planned, constructed, and equipped to provide adequate space and a proper environment to meet the service needs with safety and efficiency. (d) A physical therapist assistant may assist in the practice of physical therapy under the supervision of a licensed physical therapist by performing those assigned physical therapy procedures identified in 842 IAC 1-1-1(g)(3) [sic, section 1(g)(3) of this rule] with the exception of the use of solid filiform needles to treat neuromuscular pain and dysfunction (dry needling), but not those specified in subsections 842 IAC 1-1-1(g)(1) or (2) [sic, section 1(g)(1) or 1(g)(2) of this rule].