In homecare, are physical therapists able to pull staples or stitches?
Pursuant to the Physical Therapy Practice Act, LSA R.S. 37:2410 et seq., and the Board’s Rules, it is within the scope of practice of physical therapy for a PT to pull staples or stitches. A PT may perform an initial evaluation or consultation to determine need for physical therapy and to establish a physical therapy treatment plan, however, the implementation of physical therapy treatment to a patient for his specific condition shall be based on the prescriptions or referral of the appropriate licensed healthcare provider. Therefore, the removal of staples and/or stitches by a PT can be done pursuant to a prescription or referral from a person licensed to practice medicine, surgery, dentistry or podiatry. • Supervision and Related Issues 3 – To perform an inpatient initial PT evaluation does the physician’s orders have to read “PT to evaluate and treat” or will “PT consult” suffice as an appropriate order? Also, if a physician gives an order of “PT to perform ROM and Gait BID” does th
