2019 -- S 0774 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

     

     Introduced By: Senators Lombardi, Ciccone, Gallo, Lombardo, and Lynch Prata

     Date Introduced: April 04, 2019

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 5-40-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-40 entitled "Physical

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Therapists" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     5-40-1. Definitions.

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     As used in this chapter:

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     (1) "Board" means the board of physical therapy established by § 5-40-2.

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     (2) "Department" means the department of health.

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     (3) "Diagnostic imaging" means techniques used to capture an image of a body part. For

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purposes of this chapter, diagnostic imaging shall include basic radiological imaging, commonly

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referred to as x-ray imaging but shall not include other methodologies such as computer

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topography scan, ultrasound, bone scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission

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tomography scan.

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     (3)(4) "Examination" means an examination approved by the department in consultation

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with the board.

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     (4)(5) "License" means a license issued by the department to practice physical therapy.

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     (5)(6) "Physical therapist" means an individual who is licensed by the department to

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practice physical therapy.

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     (6)(7) "Physical therapist assistant" means an individual who is licensed by the

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department to assist in the practice of physical therapy under the supervision of a physical

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therapist.

 

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     (7)(8) "Physical therapy" means the care and services provided by or under the direction

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and supervision of a physical therapist who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.

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     (8)(9) "Practice of physical therapy" means:

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     (i)(A) Examination, evaluation, treatment, and instruction of patients/clients to detect,

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assess, prevent, correct, alleviate, and limit physical disability, physical dysfunction, and pain

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from injury, disease, and any other bodily conditions;

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     (B) Administration, interpretation, and evaluation of tests and measurements of bodily

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functions and structures;

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     (C) The planning, administration, evaluation, and modification of treatment and

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instruction, including the use of physical measures, activities, and devices, for preventive and

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therapeutic purposes; and

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     (D) The provision of consultative, educational, and other advisory services for the

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purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of physical disability, physical dysfunction, and

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pain; and

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     (E) Ordering diagnostic imaging and studies that are performed and interpreted by other

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licensed health care professionals pursuant to the provisions of § 5-40-23.

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     (ii) The practice of physical therapy does not include the practice of medicine as defined

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in chapter 37 of this title.

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     (9)(10) "Supervision" means that a licensed physical therapist is at all times responsible

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for supportive personnel and students.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 5-40 of the General Laws entitled "Physical Therapists" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     5-40-23. Ordering diagnostic imaging - Sunset.

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     (a) Physical therapists licensed pursuant to § 5-40-7 may order diagnostic imaging as

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defined in § 5-40-1 to be performed and interpreted by other licensed health care professionals.

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     (b) All diagnostic imaging tests ordered by a physical therapist shall be reported by the

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physical therapist to the patient's designated primary care physician of record within seven (7)

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days following receipt of the results. This reporting shall not be required if the patient does not

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have a primary care physician.

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     (c) Unless extended by the general assembly, physical therapists shall not be authorized

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to order diagnostic imaging as an authorized practice of physical therapy after December 31,

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2021.

 

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- PHYSICAL THERAPISTS

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     This act would include in the practice of physical therapy the ordering of diagnostic

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imaging (x-ray imaging) to be performed by other health care professionals. Test results must be

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reported by physical therapists to the patient's physician within seven (7) days of receipt. Unless

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extended by the general assembly, authorization for physical therapists to order diagnostic

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imaging sunsets December 31, 2021.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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