This sample provided courtesy of How to Successfully Launch an Aquatic Therapy Practice manual.
Comprehensive Aquatic Therapy Policy & Procedure manual available for sale here.
Sample Discharge Criteria for Pool Therapy
Policy: The following procedures will be followed during the discharge of any pool patients
Procedure:
1. A person referred by a physician for pool therapy will be evaluated and treated as soon as possible. A person referred to pool therapy will be accepted when:
- Signed written orders exist detailing: name, diagnosis, precaution, rehab potential, goals, duration of treatment, frequency of treatment and treatment requested and
- The patient is diagnosed with a disease or condition which is likely to improve with pool therapy,
and,
- The patient or patient representative agree on a course of treatment proposed or ordered as interpreted to them by pool therapist.
2. Priority for evaluation/treatment will be given to patients in the following order:
a. Inpatients and those in acute need of service.
b. Outpatients and less acute need of service.
3. A patient will be discontinued from pool therapy when:
- Therapy is discontinued by a physician.
- The goals have been met.
- The course of therapy as prescribed has been completed.
- An outpatients insurance program will no longer cover therapy and the patient chooses not to pay
privately.
- In a two week period, there is no evidence of progress toward stated goals.
- When two consecutive appointments are missed without notifying the therapist.
4. Outpatient therapy will continue as orders indicate or are renewed every thirty days.
5. A referring professional is notified when a patient is discharged or when a substantial change in the treatment program is indicated.
6. If the referring physician is outside the medical center the therapist will send copies of documentation to the physician as requested.
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