State Codes and Statutes
Statutes > Utah > Title-58 > Chapter-24b > 58-24b-10258-24b-102. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Animal physical therapy" means practicing physical therapy or physiotherapy on ananimal.
(2) "Board" means the Utah Physical Therapy Licensing Board, created in Section58-24b-201.
(3) "Consultation by telecommunication" means the provision of expert or professionaladvice by a physical therapist who is licensed outside of Utah to a licensed physical therapist or ahealth care provider by telecommunication or electronic communication.
(4) "General supervision" means supervision and oversight of a person by a licensedphysical therapist when the licensed physical therapist is immediately available in person, bytelephone, or by electronic communication to assist the person.
(5) "Licensed physical therapist" means a person licensed under this chapter to engage inthe practice of physical therapy.
(6) "Licensed physical therapist assistant" means a person licensed under this chapter toengage in the practice of physical therapy, subject to the provisions of Subsection58-24b-401(2)(a).
(7) "Licensing examination" means a nationally recognized physical therapy examinationthat is approved by the division, in consultation with the board.
(8) "On-site supervision" means supervision and oversight of a person by a licensedphysical therapist or a licensed physical therapist assistant when the licensed physical therapist orlicensed 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) "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 physicaltherapist assistant, while the licensed physical therapist or licensed physical therapist assistantpractices physical therapy, within the scope of the licensed physical therapist's or licensedphysical therapist assistant's license.
(11) (a) "Physical therapy" or "physiotherapy" means:
(i) examining, evaluating, and testing an individual who has a physical impairment orinjury;
(ii) identifying or labeling a physical impairment or injury;
(iii) formulating a therapeutic intervention plan for the treatment of a physicalimpairment, injury, or pain;
(iv) assessing the ongoing effects of therapeutic intervention for the treatment of aphysical impairment or injury;
(v) treating or alleviating a physical impairment by designing, modifying, orimplementing 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 forpreventative 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 inSubsections (11)(a)(i) through (ix) in relation to an animal, in accordance with the requirementsof Section 58-24b-405; and
(xi) engaging in administration, consultation, education, and research relating to thepractices described in this Subsection (11)(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.
(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 apatient that is generally and nationally accepted by physical therapists for the practice of physicaltherapy.
(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) biofeedback;
(xvi) thoracic excursion and breathing patterns;
(xvii) activities of daily living related to physical movement and mobility; and
(xviii) functioning in the physical environment at home or work, as it relates to physical
movement and mobility.
(14) "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 orwithout an assistive device;
(m) manual or mechanical traction; and
(n) correction of posture, body mechanics, or gait.
Enacted by Chapter 220, 2009 General Session
