NAC638.780. Standards of practice for physical therapist holding certificate; maintenance of records.

     1. A physical therapist who has been issued a certificate of registration pursuant to NAC 638.760 may practice animal physical therapy only:

     (a) Under the direction of a veterinarian licensed in this State who has established a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship concerning the animal receiving the animal physical therapy before the animal physical therapy is performed; and

     (b) If the physical therapist assumes individual liability for the quality of the animal physical therapy performed.

     2. The veterinarian under whose direction the physical therapist performs the animal physical therapy:

     (a) Is not required to supervise the physical therapist during the animal physical therapy.

     (b) Is not liable for the acts or omissions of the physical therapist who performs the animal physical therapy.

     3. Each physical therapist who has been issued a certificate of registration shall:

     (a) Maintain in this State for at least 4 years a separate written medical record of each animal receiving animal physical therapy from the physical therapist.

     (b) Within 48 hours after the initial visit with the animal, mail or transmit by facsimile machine a complete copy of the medical record to the veterinarian under whose direction the physical therapist performs the animal physical therapy.

     (c) Within 48 hours after each subsequent visit with the animal, mail or transmit by facsimile machine a progress report to the veterinarian under whose direction the physical therapist performs the animal physical therapy.

     4. The veterinarian shall include the copy of the medical record received pursuant to subsection 3 in the medical record required pursuant to NAC 638.0475. The written medical record must include, without limitation:

     (a) The name, address and telephone number of the owner of the animal;

     (b) The name or identifying number, or both, of the animal;

     (c) The age, sex and breed of the animal;

     (d) The dates of care, custody or treatment of the animal;

     (e) The results of a basic rehabilitation examination related to physical therapy;

     (f) The diagnosis and treatment plan related to physical therapy recommended by the physical therapist for the animal; and

     (g) The progress and disposition of the case.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Veterinary Med. Exam’rs by R009-04, eff. 4-26-2004)