Notice of Proposed Rule

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Physical Therapy Practice
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64B17-6.001: Minimum Standards of Physical Therapy Practice
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to clarify conflict with AHCA rules.
SUMMARY: Conflict with AHCA rules will be clarified.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: A Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost has been prepared and is available by contacting Allen Hall, Executive Director, at the address listed below.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 486.025 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 483.021(6), (9), (10), (11), 486.123, 486.125(1)(b), (d), (e), (f), (i), (j), 486.135, 486.151(1)(d), 486.161(3), 486.171 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Allen Hall, Executive Director, Board of Physical Therapy Practice, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C05, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3253

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B17-6.001 Minimum Standards of Physical Therapy Practice.

(1) through (4) No change.

(5) Physical Therapist – Physical Therapist Assistant Responsibilities and Supervisory Relationships.

(a) Regardless of the setting, physical therapists and physical therapist assistants shall abide by all Federal and State Laws and regulations related to the particular site of practice.

(b) During an acute phase of injury or illness, or while the patient is an inpatient in a hospital, the physical therapist shall be readily and physically available for consultation to the physical therapist assistant.

(c) Delivery of Care:

1. During the delivery of physical therapy care by the physical therapist assistant to patients who are not inpatients in a hospital, or who are not in the acute phase of injury or illness, the physical therapist shall be accessible at all times by telecommunication and shall be within the same geographic location as the assistant.

2. The physical therapist shall provide on-site supervision of the physical therapist assistant consistent with the requirements of Rule Chapter 59A-8, F.A.C.

2.3. The physical therapist should be readily available to the physical therapist assistant with emphasis placed on directing the assistant through frequent reporting, both verbal and written and frequent observations of the care rendered to the patient.

(d) The physical therapist shall not delegate portions of the skilled physical therapy functions or tasks to any lesser trained health personnel than the physical therapist assistant.

(6) through (8) No change.

Rulemaking Specific Authority 486.025 FS. Law Implemented 483.021(6), (9), (10), (11), 486.123, 486.125(1)(b), (d), (e), (f), (i), (j), 486.135, 486.151(1)(d), 486.161(3), 486.171 FS. History–New 8-6-84, Formerly 21M-9.30, Amended 9-22-87, Formerly 21M-9.030, Amended 9-5-90, 3-5-92, 3-24-93, Formerly 21MM-6.001, 61F11-6.001, Amended 8-16-95, Formerly 59Y-6.001, Amended 1-8-98, 1-11-99, 4-18-04, ________.


NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Physical Therapy Practice
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 12, 2009
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: January 16, 2009