105 CMR 150.010
Rehabilitation Services: Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech, Hearing
and Language Therapy (and Therapeutic Recreation in a SNCFC)
(A) Facilities providing Levels I, II or III care shall establish written policies and procedures
governing the delivery of rehabilitation services.
(1) Facilities providing Level I care, shall have an organized, continuous, rehabilitation
services program.
(2) Facilities providing Level II care shall provide meaningful availability of rehabilitation
services beyond restorative and maintenance nursing care.
(3) Facilities providing Level III or IV care should make arrangements for rehabilitation
services when needed by residents.
A SNCFC shall have an organized continuous, restorative nursing care program
including recreation/rehabilitation therapy.
(B)(1) Direct rehabilitation services shall be provided to residents only upon written order of
the resident’s primary care provider who shall indicate anticipated goals and frequency of
treatments. Such treatment shall be initiated within three days of the written order. In a
SNCFC, direct rehabilitation services shall be provided as indicated in the resident’s care
plan, which has been approved and signed by the resident’s primary care provider.
(2) The facility shall accept a patient for outpatient rehabilitation services only on the order
of a referringphysician who indicates diagnosis and anticipated goals, and who is responsible
for the general medical direction of such services as part of the total care of the patient and
for each patient there shall be a written plan of care approved by the referring physician. The
plan of care must specify the type, amount, frequency and duration of services to be
provided. The plan of care and results of treatment shall be reviewed by the referring
physician at least every 60 days or more often if required.
(C) All rehabilitation services shall be provided or supervised by licensed therapists.
(1) Rehabilitation services may be provided either directly by therapists employed by the
facility or through written agreements with hospitals, institutions, clinics, agencies or
independently practicing therapists in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures
for rehabilitation services.
(2) Rehabilitation services provided to residents shall be integrated with the medical nursing,
dietary, social, activity and other services to promote restoration of the resident to his or her
maximum potential, and reviewed in conjunction with other periodic reviews of the
resident’s condition.
(a) In a SNCFC, the rehabilitation services portion of the resident’s care plan shall
include a schedule for expected developmental goals. These goals shall be reviewed on
a quarterly basis and amended as necessary .
(b) In a SNCFC, the rehabilitation services staff shall participate, when appropriate, in
planning for continuing care of each resident after discharge. Appropriate consultations
shall be provided byrehabilitation services staff, when indicated, to familymembers who
will be involved in care of a resident after discharge.
(D) Staff.
(1) Facilities providing Level I care shall provide a physical therapist and an occupational
therapist, each for a minimum of eight hours per month for each unit for indirect services
(such as consultation). Speech, hearing and language therapists shall be provided as needed.
(2) Facilities providing Level II care shall provide a physical therapist and an occupational
therapist, each for a minimum of four hours per month for each unit for indirect services
(such as consultation). Speech, hearing and language therapists shall be provided as needed.
(a) A SNCFC shall provide a supervisor of physical therapy services, full time, who
shall be a registered physical therapist with a minimum of one year of experience or
training in pediatrics.
(b) A SNCFC shall provide a physical therapist assistant or physical therapy aide on
duty, on each unit, during a 12 hour period that includes all meal times seven days a
week.
(c) A SNCFC shall provide a supervisor of occupational therapy services, full time, who
shall be a registered occupational therapist with one year of experience or training in
pediatrics.
(d)
A SNCFC shall provide a titled occupational therapy assistant or occupational
therapy aide, on duty, on each unit, during a 12 hour period that includes all meal times,
seven days a week.
(e) A SNCFC shall provide a speech therapist ten to 15 hours per week or as needed,
who shall be certified in speech pathology or in the combined areas of speech pathology
and audiology.
In addition to indirect services, therapists and supportive rehabilitation services
personnel shall be provided in sufficient numbers and with sufficient skills to provide direct
services to meet residents’ needs. Supportive personnel shall be appropriately supervised.
In a SNCFC, there shall be an ongoing program of in-service education for all
rehabilitation services staff to enable them to keep pace with advanced technology in the area
of rehabilitation therapy and habilitative services. There shall be an appropriate orientation
training program approved by the Department to enable aides and assistants to work with the
residents in the unit.
(4) A SNCFC shall provide a therapeutic recreation therapist, full time, who shall plan and
supervise therapeutic recreational services.
A SNCFC, in addition, shall provide a therapeutic recreation assistant and sufficient
therapeutic recreation program staff during high activity periods and on weekends to
implement recreational programs in accordance with resident needs.
(5) A facility providing rehabilitation services to outpatients shall provide an adequate
number of qualified therapists and the equipment necessary to carry out its program and
fulfill its objectives.
(E) Records and Reports.
(1) Indirect services provided shall be documented by a written summary available for
inspection in the facility.
(2) Direct services records shall be filed in the resident’s clinical record.
(F) A SNCFC shall provide furniture and special rehabilitation equipment as needed, sized and
scaled appropriately for children’s use.