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Your Doctor Sends You For Physical Therapy…Now What?
Your prescription
Once you and your doctor decide that therapy is the next step, you will receive a prescription which is needed to begin treatment. This prescription will provide the therapist with your specific diagnosis as well as a time frame in which therapy should be administered.
Scheduling an appointment
Tranquillity Physical Therapy conveniently located close to your home or office. All clinics have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your schedule. When calling to make your first appointment, please have your prescription and insurance card available. We will verify your insurance benefits and give you an estimate of coverage.
Your first visit
On your first visit, we ask that you arrive ten minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. We will need you to bring your insurance card, driver's license or other form of identification and prescription. In order for the therapist to perform a comprehensive evaluation, we ask that you wear loose, comfortable clothing. You should expect the initial visit to last approximately one hour. During this visit, you and your therapist will set your specific rehabilitation goals to achieve your optimal functional level. After the evaluation, we will schedule additional appointments as prescribed by your physician.
Communication with Doctor/Rehab Nurse
As your therapy progresses, we will update your physician/rehab nurse on your condition. A progress note will be faxed over to your doctor before each follow up appointment. Communication between your doctor and therapist is essential to making your rehabilitation a success.
Discharge and follow-up
At Tranquillity, we emphasize continuing with a home exercise program. Your therapist will design a program for you on your final visit.
Physical Therapy Services: Access, Admission, and Patients' Rights
In providing physical therapy services, the physical therapist is accountable first and foremost to the individual receiving physical therapy. The physical therapist is also accountable for abiding by professional standards and ethics and the laws governing the practice of physical therapy in Kansas State.
The physical therapist shall ensure services regardless of race, creed, color, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or health status. The individual referred or admitted to the physical therapy service has privileges and rights, which are listed below.
PATIENT RIGHTS
You have the right to:
Expect that therapists shall be guided by your physical, psychological, and socioeconomic concerns.
Select a physical therapist of your own choosing to the extent that it is reasonable and possible.
Have access to information regarding practice policies, PTWA Standards of Care, and charges for services.
Expect that, if the referral source has any financial involvement in the service, that the extent of that financial involvement shall be made known to you.
Expect that physical therapists shall provide consultation, evaluation, treatment, and preventative care in accordance with the laws and regulations of Washington State.
Know the names, professional status, and educational credentials of the physical therapist and other personnel providing or participating in the program of care. The responsibility of physical therapy care rests with the physical therapist, though some aspects of therapy may be delegated to supportive personnel qualified to perform those duties.
Adequate information in understandable terms in order to be able to give informed consent prior to the initiation of services.
Participate in decisions involving the physical therapy plan of care to the extent reasonable and possible.
Know the physical therapy goals, desired outcomes, and procedures which are being rendered throughout your treatment.
Have access to information concerning your condition (i.e., medical record).
Know your outcome prognosis throughout the course of treatment.
Decline to participate in research studies.
Consideration of privacy. Case discussion, consultation, examination, and treatment should be conducted so as to protect your privacy to the extent possible.
Expect that written permission will be obtained before medical records are disclosed to parties not participating in your care (except insurance companies) and that all communications and records pertaining to your care will be treated as confidential by the therapist except in cases such as suspected abuse and public health hazards when reporting is permitted or required by law.
Expect safe provision of services.
Receive timely information about impending discharge and continuing care requirements.
Refuse physical therapy services.
Information regarding the mechanism for the initiation, review, and resolution of your (the patient’s) complaints.
As with any dispute, have patient representation for resolving same.
Know in advance how much each visit costs.
PATIENT RESPONSIBILITIES
You are responsible to:
Provide your therapist complete and accurate health and insurance information concerning illness, hospitalizations, allergies, and function. Request additional information when you do not understand. Inform your therapist if you anticipate problems complying with the treatment plan. Know, or find out, the amount of insurance coverage available to you. Provide your therapist with a copy of your advance directive (living will), if you have one and if appropriate. Follow provider rules and regulations, including timely notification of cancellation. Demonstrate respect and consideration for other patients and facility staff. Participate in the development and implementation of the plan of care. Notify your therapist of any changes in your condition.
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