Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Health Professions
 
Board
Board of Physical Therapy
 
chapter
Regulations Governing the Practice of Physical Therapy [18 VAC 112 ‑ 20]
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5/8/23  8:36 am
Commenter: Anonymous

Support Defining Invasive Procedure & Define PFT as Non-Invasive Procedure...DID YOU KNOW
 

DID YOU KNOW, on March 15, 2022, The Virginia Board of Physical Therapy (BoPT) issued an Order declaring for the first time that “pelvic floor therapy was an invasive procedure” and therefore, it was governed by Va. Code §54.1-3482. Practice of physical therapy; certain experience and referrals required; physical therapist assistants holds in relevant part:

D. Invasive procedures within the scope of practice of physical therapy shall at all times be performed only under the referral and direction of a licensed Doctor of Medicine, osteopathy, chiropractic, podiatry, or dental surgery, a licensed nurse practitioner practicing in accordance with the provisions of § 54.1-2957, or a licensed physician assistant acting under the supervision of a licensed physician.

DID YOU KNOW, the Board PROMULGATED THAT “NEW REGULATION” on March 15, 2022, APPLIED IT TO ONLY ONE VIRGINIA LICENSED PHYSICAL THERAPIST, RETROACTIVELY to 2015, and SUSPENDED HIS LICENSE TO PRACTICE.

DID YOU KNOW, on February 23, 2023, the Henrico County Circuit Court issued an opinion, and on March 27, 2023, entered the Order and VACATED the BoPT’s finding. The Court ruled: There exists NO regulation classifying pelvic floor therapy as an invasive procedure triggering statutory and regulatory requirements for its performance, and the term "invasive procedure" is not defined by the Board in the statutes nor in its regulations” with the footnote,  Compare with Virginia Emergency Medical Services Regulations' definition of an "invasive procedure" at 12VAC5-31-10, and the Virginia Board of Medicine's definition at 18VAC85-140-150(A)(3)(c).”

DID YOU KNOW now is the time to make your voice heard…LOUDLY and CLEARLY!

Please take the time to respond to this petition so we can get clear and concise rules and regulations THAT WILL APPLY TO EVERYONE, for the safety of our patients and the INTEGRITY OF OUR FIELD!

CommentID: 216876