ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 2951

          Regulating the practice of physical therapy.

Health Care Committee                          February 2, 2000

Washington State House of Representatives

SPONSORS:  Representatives Veloria and Edmonds.

BRIEF SUMMARY

!The scope of practice of physical therapists is expanded to include manipulation, use of orthoses, wound care, the administration of drugs, and the penetration of tissues for testing neuromuscular performance.

!The use of physical therapist assistants, physical therapy aide, and other assistive personnel are authorized.

!The physical therapy licensing law is generally updated.

BACKGROUND:  The practice of physical therapy is licensed by the Department of Health.

Physical therapy is defined as the treatment of any bodily or mental condition by the use of physical or chemical or other properties, including heat, cold, light, air, water, electricity, sound, massage, and therapeutic exercise.  The use of spinal manipulation is excluded.  Treatment utilizing orthoses is limited to structural problems of the foot or ankle by referral from an authorized health practitioner. 

Wound management, the administration of drugs, and the penetration of tissue are not included.

The confidentiality of the patient-therapist relationship is not included.

The use of a physical therapist assistant, physical therapy aide, or assistive personnel is not included.

SUMMARY:  The purpose of this act is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, and the chapter is to be liberally construed to promote the public interest.

The scope of practice is defined to include the examination and alleviation of individuals for mechanical, physiological, and developmental impairments, and functional limitations through therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, joint mobilization and manipulation, and therapeutic message, including the use of supportive devices and prefabricated and direct-formed orthoses.  It also includes wound care and promotion and maintenance of fitness and health to reduce risk of injury and disability.

A qualified physical therapist may penetrate tissues for testing neuromuscular performance, and administer specified medications, as well as other drugs prescribed by a physician.  The Secretary of Health, by rule, may authorize physical therapists to purchase and use legend drugs and devises after consultation with the Board of Pharmacy and Medical Quality Assurance Commission.

The prohibitions against the use of spinal manipulation, and the restriction of orthoses to those which support structural problems with the foot, are repealed, as well as the prohibition against advertising spinal manipulation.  Physical therapists must meet qualifications established by rule in order to be use spinal manipulation.

The use of physical therapist assistants and therapy aides, including assistive personnel, under the supervision of physical therapists, is authorized, and physical therapists are responsible for patient care rendered by assistive personnel.

No person may practice physical therapy or represent himself or herself as a physical therapist without holding a license.  Exemptions from licensure are specified for students, practitioners under federal agencies, and instructors.

Physical therapists must follow professional ethics defined by rule.  They must disclose to patients if they receive compensation from referrals as well as any financial interests in endorsed products recommended. Information between a therapist and a client is confidential.