Page 13 - OPTA Volume 48

Ethics Committee Report Lisa Kohler, PT, DPT - Chair
Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants in Ohio have a new requirement for license renewal . Licensees are required to complete a standardized jurisprudence assessment module (JAM) worth 2 CEUs in each renewal cycle starting in 2022 for PTs and 2023 for PTAs; JAM is not required for first-time renewals. The module will provide continuing education regarding Ohio’s laws and rules governing physical therapy . The module is available at https://www .fsbpt .org/Our-Services/Jurisprudence-Assessment-Module-JAM- Services/Ohio .
Recent changes in health care delivery have given physical therapy providers in Ohio an opportunity to treat patients from the safety and convenience of their homes via the remote delivery of care . While this is an exciting way to expand the practice, there are ethical implications that require consideration to guarantee that standards of care are being met .
1. Adhere to HIPAA regulations. The platform used to communicate with the patient and document the encounter must be secure. Telehealth visits should occur in a private space to avoid others overhearing sensitive information. If recording the session, obtain patient consent after providing information about how the recording will be stored and used; storage must be encrypted for security.
2. Documentation should comply with all existing regulations—document locations of patient and therapist during the session.
3. Provide all necessary information to obtain informed consent. Explain how services will be delivered in the telehealth format, so patients know what to expect. Clear communication is critical to avoid poor outcomes and liability risks.
4. Orient the patient to the telehealth platform. A patient who is overwhelmed by the technology may not appreciate the value of the care being provided. Patients should be empowered to provide feedback or terminate treatment via telehealth
if the format is not effective. Plan for alternate methods of communication
in the event of a service interruption or technology malfunction.
5. Consider interventions that are safe to perform without direct physical assistance to avoid unnecessary risk of injury or
falls. Ensure the patient understands instructions provided and are compliant with safety recommendations, such
as holding onto a chair or performing a seated activity. Educate on precautions, self- monitoring of vitals, and verbal reporting of RPE during treatment, as
well as emergency protocol.
6. Focus on quality of care to demonstrate the value of physical therapy. Screen patients for unmet needs and refer, as appropriate. Use evidence-based and best practice standards to provide an intervention that is goal- oriented, efficient, and effective. Treatment provided via telehealth must be performed by an appropriately licensed clinician who is practicing within the profession’s scope of practice and within state licensure laws.
7. Currently, telehealth is not reimbursable in all settings, so check for eligibility before providing services. Visit the OPTA Payment Policy News page for current information.
TELEHEALTH REFERENCES
“Telehealth and the Risk Management Practices
You Need to Consider .” VGM Insurance .
Available: can .ymaws .com/wwwohiopt .org/resources/res graphics/docs/VGM_Insurance_-_Telehealth_a .pdf . Accessed June 8, 2020 .
Kohler L, Dubbs J, Moore T . “As the World gets Smaller, do Ethical Dilemmas get Bigger?” Presented at Ohio Physical Therapy Association Annual Conference on April 13, 2018 .
For more information, please contact Lisa at:
lisamarypt@gmail.com
OPTA | September 2020 | 13