Sec. 10.38.03.01. Definitions

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

(1) "Board" means the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners of Maryland created by Health Occupations Article, §13-201, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) "Clinical treatment hour" means an hour in which physical therapy or limited physical therapy services are provided at some point during the hour.

(3) "Electronically signed" means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.

(4) "Evaluations" means procedures which include, but are not limited to:

(a) Testing of strength, sensation, and reflexes;

(b) Goniometric measurements and their interpretation;

(c) Assessments of function, muscle tone, developmental levels, accessory motions, posture, and pain scale.

(5) "Goals" means the expected outcome as the result of therapy.

(6) "Group therapy" means treatment procedures provided simultaneously to two or more patients that:

(a) Require constant attendance, but not one-on-one contact by the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant; and

(b) Can be, but need not be, the same treatment procedures.

(7) "History" means data that is pertinent to the current physical therapy problem.

(8) "Hour" means a 60-minute increment during a calendar day which is calculated by dividing the day into consecutive 60-minute increments beginning when the day's first physical therapy or limited physical therapy service starts and ending when the last physical therapy or limited physical therapy service terminates, the last consecutive increment of which may be a fraction of an hour.

(9) "Interpretation" means the analysis of findings for the purpose of establishing and justifying the plan of care.

(10) "License number" means the Maryland physical therapy license number issued by the Board.

(11) "Onset" means the date of occurrence of the condition for which physical therapy is being provided.

(12) "Physical therapy diagnosis" means the condition for which physical therapy is provided if different from the medical diagnosis.

(13) "Plan of care" means the plan of treatment aimed at achieving the anticipated functional goals.

(14) "Progress" means the measurable improvement as related to goals.

(15) "Reevaluation" means a measurement of progress, or lack of it, based on comparisons of tests, measurements, and assessments with previous evaluation or reevaluations.

(16) "Requirements for documentation" means the requirements as set forth in Regulation .02-1 of this chapter and approved by the Board.

(17) "Response to treatment" means a brief statement of the patient's condition at conclusion of treatment.

(18) "Services" means the evaluation or treatment, or both, as appropriate, of a patient.

(19) "Signature and title" means the name of the physical therapist or physical therapist assistant written by that person or electronically signed by that person in accordance with federal and State law and followed by the title "PT" or "PTA" and license number. A stamp of a signature is not acceptable as a signature for documentation.

(20) "Student" means an individual who is currently enrolled in a physical therapy or physical therapist assistant educational program approved by the Board.

(21) "Supervising physical therapist" means a physical therapist who provides ongoing supervision to a physical therapist assistant regarding the care of a patient.

(22) "Supportive personnel" includes aides and other unlicensed personnel.

(23) "Test results" means the measurable and objective findings obtained from the evaluations.