Utah Code § 58-24b-102

Current through the 2024 Fourth Special Session

Section 58-24b-102 - Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Animal physical therapy" means practicing physical therapy or physiotherapy on an animal.

(2) "Board" means the Physical Therapies Licensing Board, created in Section 58-24b-201.

(3) "Consultation by telecommunication" means the provision of expert or professional advice by a physical therapist who is licensed outside of Utah to a licensed physical therapist or a health care provider by telecommunication or electronic communication.

(4) "General supervision" means supervision and oversight of a person by a licensed physical therapist when the licensed physical therapist is immediately available in person, by telephone, or by electronic communication to assist the person.

(5) "Licensed physical therapist" means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of physical therapy.

(6) "Licensed physical therapist assistant" means a person licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of physical therapy, subject to the provisions of Subsection 58-24b-401(2)(a).

(7) "Licensing examination" means a nationally recognized physical therapy examination that is approved by the division, in consultation with the board.

(8) "On-site supervision" means supervision and oversight of a person by a licensed physical therapist or a licensed physical therapist assistant when the licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant is:

(a) continuously present at the facility where the person is providing services;

(b) immediately available to assist the person; and

(c) regularly involved in the services being provided by the person.

(9) "Physical impairment" means:

(a) a mechanical impairment;

(b) a physiological impairment;

(c) a developmental impairment;

(d) a functional limitation;

(e) a disability;

(f) a mobility impairment; or

(g) a bodily malfunction.

(10)

(a) "Physical therapy" or "physiotherapy" means:

(i) examining, evaluating, and testing an individual who has a physical impairment or injury;

(ii) identifying or labeling a physical impairment or injury;

(iii) formulating a therapeutic intervention plan for the treatment of a physical impairment, injury, or pain;

(iv) assessing the ongoing effects of therapeutic intervention for the treatment of a physical impairment or injury;

(v) treating or alleviating a physical impairment by designing, modifying, or implementing a therapeutic intervention;

(vi) reducing the risk of an injury or physical impairment;

(vii) providing instruction on the use of physical measures, activities, or devices for preventative and therapeutic purposes;

(viii) promoting and maintaining health and fitness;

(ix) the administration of a prescription drug pursuant to Section 58-24b-403;

(x) subject to Subsection 58-28-307(12)(b), engaging in the functions described in Subsections (10)(a)(i) through (ix) in relation to an animal, in accordance with the requirements of Section 58-24b-405; and

(xi) engaging in administration, consultation, education, and research relating to the practices described in this Subsection (10)(a).

(b) "Physical therapy" or "physiotherapy" does not include:

(i) diagnosing disease;

(ii) performing surgery;

(iii) performing acupuncture;

(iv) taking x-rays; or

(v) prescribing or dispensing a drug, as defined in Section 58-37-2.

(11) "Physical therapy aide" means a person who:

(a) is trained, on-the-job, by a licensed physical therapist; and

(b) provides routine assistance to a licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant, while the licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistant practices physical therapy, within the scope of the licensed physical therapist's or licensed physical therapist assistant's license.

(12) "Recognized accreditation agency" means an accreditation agency that:

(a) grants accreditation, nationally, in the United States of America; and

(b) is approved by the division, in consultation with the board.

(13)

(a) "Testing" means a standard method or technique used to gather data regarding a patient that is generally and nationally accepted by physical therapists for the practice of physical therapy.

(b) "Testing" includes measurement or evaluation of:

(i) muscle strength, force, endurance, or tone;

(ii) cardiovascular fitness;

(iii) physical work capacity;

(iv) joint motion, mobility, or stability;

(v) reflexes or autonomic reactions;

(vi) movement skill or accuracy;

(vii) sensation;

(viii) perception;

(ix) peripheral nerve integrity;

(x) locomotor skills, stability, and endurance;

(xi) the fit, function, and comfort of prosthetic, orthotic, or other assistive devices;

(xii) posture;

(xiii) body mechanics;

(xiv) limb length, circumference, and volume;

(xv) thoracic excursion and breathing patterns;

(xvi) activities of daily living related to physical movement and mobility;

(xvii) functioning in the physical environment at home or work, as it relates to physical movement and mobility; and

(xviii) neural muscular responses.

(14)

(a) "Trigger point dry needling" means the stimulation of a trigger point using a dry needle to treat neuromuscular pain and functional movement deficits.

(b) "Trigger point dry needling" does not include the stimulation of auricular or distal points.

(15) "Therapeutic intervention" includes:

(a) therapeutic exercise, with or without the use of a device;

(b) functional training in self-care, as it relates to physical movement and mobility;

(c) community or work integration, as it relates to physical movement and mobility;

(d) manual therapy, including:

(i) soft tissue mobilization;

(ii) therapeutic massage; or

(iii) joint mobilization, as defined by the division, by rule;

(e) prescribing, applying, or fabricating an assistive, adaptive, orthotic, prosthetic, protective, or supportive device;

(f) airway clearance techniques, including postural drainage;

(g) integumentary protection and repair techniques;

(h) wound debridement, cleansing, and dressing;

(i) the application of a physical agent, including:

(i) light;

(ii) heat;

(iii) cold;

(iv) water;

(v) air;

(vi) sound;

(vii) compression;

(viii) electricity; and

(ix) electromagnetic radiation;

(j) mechanical or electrotherapeutic modalities;

(k) positioning;

(l) instructing or training a patient in locomotion or other functional activities, with or without an assistive device;

(m) manual or mechanical traction;

(n) correction of posture, body mechanics, or gait; and

(o) trigger point dry needling, under the conditions described in Section 58-24b-505.

Utah Code § 58-24b-102

Amended by Chapter 507, 2024 General Session ,§ 72, eff. 10/1/2024.

Amended by Chapter 354, 2014 General Session ,§ 1, eff. 5/13/2014.

Amended by Chapter 117, 2012 General Session ,§ 1, eff. 5/8/2012.

Enacted by Chapter 220, 2009 General Session