Newsletter: August 2008
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President’s Letter: Close Encounters of the PT Kind
It’s simpler than you think. Consider the number of patients you see every day. Each encounter presents an opportunity to educate that person about your profession, your education, the variety of settings in which PT’s and PTA’s work. Every time you use manual therapy is another opportunity to describe the wealth of skills that we therapists use to facilitate healing and improve function. When’s the last time you described a class you took, an article you read, a lecture you attended—or gave? A conversation on the beach, in the bus, or at a bar can lead to a description of your profession. A session of gait training provides an opening for you to talk to a patient about the skills you use to determine functional impairments and the methods you employ to help someone walk better and feel more confident.
It’s all too easy to get caught in the routine of going to work every day, coming home to your responsibilities, going back to work, dealing with administration, politics, personalities. Taking the time—just a few minutes, really—to promote our profession is enlivening and inspiring. Each time we do so, we move our profession forward.
And now, we’ve got a “movie” of our own: APTA has recently released the new DVD “You Can Be Me”. Check it out at www.apta.org, and consider getting a copy for your facility. Show it to your colleagues, your staff, your managers, your administration, your patients. Play it during National Physical Therapy Month in October. Take it to career day at the high school you attended. This upbeat, uplifting DVD depicts the kind of close encounters we therapists are lucky to experience every day: no spaceships, no aliens, just real live therapists helping improve real live patients’ function.
Ann Frost, President
Congratulations to Marianne Patino, PT. Marianne recently passed the exam to become a PCS—Pediatric Clinical Specialist. Marianne, we applaud your hard work and accomplishment.
Don’t miss Shirley Sahrmann, FAFTA, PT, PhD, renowned therapist and instructor who comes to Oahu in April to teach Diagnosis and Treatment of Movement System Impairment Syndromes. Shirley’s course promises to be interesting and immediately useful. Space is limited and the class is filling up quickly. For details at hapta.org, go to Spring Conference 2008.
Welcome to Debbie Kubota, PT and Ed Ho, PTA as our new HAPTA Liaisons to the State PT Licensing Board, and to Lita Peeters, PT and Pam Adams, PT as our new Chair and Co-Chair of our Reimbursement/Payor Relations Committee.
West Hawaii District Report
Aloha from West Hawaii District, Big Island! The hot topic from the Big Island is the new viewing of the recent lava flows into the ocean! But besides that, the PTs in Kona have been "hot" on the trail of PR Activities! This past year we presented a great course for PTs, by Sherrill Rutherford, PT, on Thoracic Manual Therapy. In addition, we also offered a free Golf Posture Assessment Clinic to the public in early November in celebration of National PT Month. The clinic was well attended, with great PR news publications in the paper, radio and TV community bulletin! Mahalo to the PTs who participated in the event to further increase awareness of PT to the West Hawaii Community! We are looking at offering ano-ther course later this year...look for the flyer!
Jean Thompson, Secretary/WHHAPTA
PTA News
Aloha, I hope everyone is doing is well and having a good start in the New Year. As some of you know there has been a change in the Medicare 2008 Physician Fee Schedule Rule regarding New Definitions of P.T. and P.T.A. There is a 6 page "Highlights" version as well as a 29 page version which is available on the APTA’s website under the Medicare link of the popular pages dropdown and look for the Medicare 2008: Changes for Physical Therapy link. I would recommend reading the 6 page “Highlights” first then read the details and provisions as listed in the 29 page version. There is a great deal of title protection given to us as PTA’s and the reality of needing licensure or certification in our state is becoming more evident as we are one of the four remaining states without it. Please let me know what your thoughts are and if you have any questions or concerns feel free to call me via cell 368-1560 or e mail me edloho@hawaii.rr.com. Mahalo, Ed Ho, PTA, Hawaii PTA Caucus Representative.
From The Lone Star State to The Aloha State: 2008 PTA Caucus Report
The PTA Caucus voted to adopt an amendment to the PTA Caucus Procedure Manual that increases the term length for chief delegate and delegates from two to three years. The change in term length will be phased in so that the current delegates can complete their two-year terms.
The PTA Caucus continues to encourage all chapters to develop a PTA Caucus alternate representative position to assure representation at the PTA Caucus and to provide another avenue of leadership development for PTA members. The PTA Caucus also supports development of district leadership positions for PTAs to increase involvement and leadership within the chapter.
The following individuals were elected to positions in the PTA Caucus:
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Delegates
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David Emerick (VA)
Amy Smith (GA) Russell Stowers (NM) |
2 year term
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Alternate Delegate
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Mike Davis (IA)
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1 year term
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Nominating Committee
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Brenda Norton (SD)
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3 year term
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The outgoing officers: Andrea Johnson (AL), Delegate; for those of you that don’t know, Andrea is in P.T. school at the University of Alabama-Birmingham more details are available in the PTA Viewpoint Article of the February 2008 issue of PT Magazine; John Kelly (IN), Alternate Delegate; and Carrie Perkins (OH), Nominating Committee Chair were recognized by the Caucus.
During the meeting, Debbie Bridgewater (MI) announced that Michigan’s PTA licensing legislation would be going to committee this week. There are still 4 states (Colorado, Hawaii, Michigan, and Utah) and 1 jurisdiction (Virgin Islands) remaining that does not have regulation for PTAs.
The PTA Caucus Delegates, John Linberger, Nancy Brox, David Emerick, Andrea Johnson, and Russell Stowers represented all PTA members in APTA’s 2008 House of Delegates June 9th -11th.
Adopted RCs of particular interest to PTA members included:
- RC-3 Amend: Guidelines: Student and Employer Contracts. Updated guidelines to assist the student/new clinician in negotiating appropriate agreements that provide financial assistance in exchange for a promise of future employment were approved.
- RC-4 Endorsement of International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). Terminology used in Association documents will be changed to be consistent with international terminology.
- RC-8 Physical Therapist of Record and “Hand-Off” Communication. APTA will encourage practices and facilities to develop and implement a process to identify the physical therapist of record and “hand off” communication procedures.
- RC-16 Monthly Dues Payment Program and RC-17 Automatic Membership Renewal. Options for dues payment are being explored to make membership renewal more convenient and affordable.
- RC-14 Adopted: Identification of the Role of the Physical Therapist Assistant as it Relates to Physical Therapist Practice in 2020. This RC supports the efforts of the Advisory Panel of PTAs in coordination with the APTA Board of Directors to identify the future role and entry-level and post entry-level educational needs to assure qualified assistive personnel in 2020. A preliminary report from the APTA Board of Directors will be presented to The House of Delegates in 2009.
Mahalo to the numerous P.T. Delegates that spoke in favor of RC-14 and allowed it to be passed, as well as our very own Lisa Curtis who was articulate and convincing during her first speech in The House Of Delegates. These are encouraging times for us as PTA’s as the respect and value of the PTA as evident during The House of Delegates has never been stronger. I hope you will share this encouraging information with your co workers who aren’t members of the association to remind them of the many great opportunities the association creates for us. Congratulations to the June 2008 recipients of the APTA’s Recognition of Advanced Proficiency for the Physical Therapist Assistant. Who will be the next HAPTA PTA to receive this award? Please don’t hesitate to contact me via cell 368-1560 or e-mail me if you have questions or ideas.
Mahalo,
Ed Ho, PTA, Hawaii PTA Caucus Representative
Be sure to check for periodic updates on our Continuing Education web page as we post more courses.
Want to help out, but only have a little time? Please contact Michelle Garcia or Bianca Hoang.
The Legislative Committee last met on 5/13. At this meeting, we reviewed the year end legislative session. In 2008, no legislation was initiated by HAPTA, however we were present and gave testimony for bills in workers’ compensation, women’s issues, pediatrics, and geriatrics. Moving forward into 2008/2009, we will witness an election which will change some of the political faces. HAPTA plans to continue a presence on the legislative front and wel will need to continue to meet our representatives both in the House and the Senate. Members are encouraged to know and meet their representatives, and to remind them of the important roles that PT’s and PTA’s play in the health care of Hawaii’s people.
Our next meeting is set for November 18 at RHOP from 7-9 p.m. We ask that members bring a friend to help brainstorm ideas on ways to bring positive attention to our association and our profession. This planning will prove beneficial in the future when we have concerns that affect our membership, our profession, and our patients.
Members have also been attending State Licensing Board meetings. These meetings are open to all and are usually scheduled on the 2nd Tuesday of every other month at noon.
Finally we bid a fond aloha to Graham Hadley, your former Legislative Committee Chair. He and his wife recently moved to London, England for a new life adventure. We wish him will and thank him for his many years of diligence as Legislative Chair.
Lucy Lessard, PT, Legislative Committee Chair
Chief Delegate Report and PAC Update
I hope everyone is having a good summer so far. Mine got off to a great start this year, at the APTA House of Delegates Conference in San Antonio, Texas. It was a pleasure serving HAPTA as the Chief Delegate.
It was an exciting 4 days! In addition to all of the usual meetings revolving around the proposed resolutions, we also got a sneak peek at the new APTA Branding presentation, an excellent review of the Strategic Plan, and a brief overview of current legislative issues.
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| Photos of the Hawaii delegation to the House of Delegates Conference | |
There were fewer resolutions to discuss this year versus previous years, but the content/quality was very good. Eighteen total resolutions were put forth to the group for discussion, but one pertaining to environmental initiatives was rescinded prior to voting on the floor of the house. Many of the resolutions sparked lively debates, both on the floor and in the various discussion groups. Here is a brief summary of a few of the measures the House of Delegates adopted this year:
- RC 1-08: Amend: Diagnosis by Physical Therapists
This RC added language stating that physical therapists may “order tests that are performed and interpreted by other health professionals,” and that “The physical therapist’s responsibility in the diagnostic process is to organize and interpret all relevant data.” - RC 1-08: Amend: Diagnosis by Physical Therapists
This RC added language stating that physical therapists may “order tests that are performed and interpreted by other health professionals,” and that “The physical therapist’s responsibility in the diagnostic process is to organize and interpret all relevant data.” - RC 5-08: Continuity of Care Record
This RC states that the APTA supports including physical therapy documentation in patients permanent/ portable medical records, like those currently used by the Military Tricare system, and those that are being developed by Medicare and other health service companies. - RC 7-08: Accurate Disclosure of Physical Therapy Benefits by Health Insurance Companies
The New York delegation raised concerns that some insurance companies advertise to their subscribers that physical therapy is a covered benefit, but do not disclose that the co-payment is much higher than for regular doctor visits. After much spirited debate, NY substituted RC 7A-08, which very concisely states that the APTA supports full and accurate up-front descriptions of the actual covered benefits, either by voluntary disclosure or via state/federal laws mandating disclosure. - RC 8-08: Physical Therapist of Record and “Hand Off” Communication
Many facilities have therapists covering weekends and holidays, or working part time, and there is not always a standardized process for turning patient care responsibilities over to another therapist. This RC encourages facilities to develop and institute a clear process for tracking which therapist is ultimately responsible for the care and progression of each patient. - RC 10-08: Health Care of America’s Returning Wounded Warriors
There is a large unmet need for rehab professionals to help treat our returning Veterans, especially as they transition back into civilian life/communities. This RC affirms APTA’s support of the recommendations put forth by the President’s Commission of Care of America’s Returning Wounded Warriors. This RC passed with a unanimous vote.
- RC 16-08: Monthly Dues Payment Program (Board of Directors Substitution)
- RC 17-08: Automatic Dues Renewal
In RC 16-08 the HOD voted in favor of developing options for a monthly dues payment option. There were concerns that this could hurt smaller chapters – currently the APTA disburses the full funding for each member to the state chapters as soon as membership is renewed, but if dues were paid in monthly installments the BOD has indicated that they would consider making only partial payments each month, which for the first year could negatively affect cash flow. RC 17-08 calls for a voluntary automatic dues renewal option, which would renew your membership and continue charging your credit card as you previously directed. This would save time, money, and paper since it would eliminate the need to mail out multiple renewal notices.
The Legislative Committee and Political Action Committee have had a busy year. Although the official Legislative Session is over, many of our Senators and Representatives are still hosting fundraising and community events. We encourage our members to attend events in their home districts, and with advance notice we can even provide a PAC fund check to cover the donation/ticket price.
If you would like more information about any of the HOD activities or individual resolutions, or would like information about the Hawaii Physical Therapy PAC please e-mail me.
Jennifer Simpson, PT
Thanks so much.
Susan Lankford, MSPT, Membership Chair
