OAR 848-040-0165: Standards For Discharging A Patient From Therapy

(1) A physical therapist shall discharge a patient from an episode of physical therapy treatment when the therapist determines: (a) The patient has reached all physical therapy goals and additional goals are not identified; (b) The patient will not further benefit from physical therapy, regardless of whether additional visits are ordered or authorized; (c) The patient declines to continue treatment or self-discharges; (d) Physical therapy is contraindicated; or (e) The referring provider directs or instructs that the patient be discharged from the episode of treatment. (2) Only a physical therapist may make the decision to discharge a patient from therapy. A physical therapist shall not delegate the decision to discharge a patient to a physical therapist assistant or to an aide. (3) A physical therapist assistant shall not independently make the decision to discharge a patient from therapy. However, a physical therapist assistant may make recommendations regarding discharge to the supervising physical therapist based on the physical therapist assistant's treatment of the patient.