10A NCAC 13B .2020      DEFINITIONS

The following definitions shall apply to inpatient rehabilitation facilities or units only:

(1)           "Case management" means the coordination of services, for a given patient, between disciplines so that the patient may reach optimal rehabilitation through the judicious use of resources.

(2)           "Comprehensive, inpatient rehabilitation program" means a program for the treatment of persons with functional limitations or chronic disabling conditions who have the potential to achieve a significant improvement in activities of daily living. A comprehensive, rehabilitation program utilizes a coordinated and integrated, interdisciplinary approach, directed by a physician, to assess patient needs and to provide treatment and evaluation of physical, psycho-social and cognitive deficits.

(3)           "Inpatient rehabilitation facility or unit" means a free-standing facility or a unit (unit pertains to contiguous dedicated beds and spaces) within an existing licensed health service facility approved in accordance with G.S. 131E, Article 9 to establish inpatient, rehabilitation beds and to provide a comprehensive, inpatient rehabilitation program.

(4)           "Medical consultations" means consultations which the rehabilitation physician or the attending physician determine are necessary to meet the acute medical needs of the patient and do not include routine medical needs.

(5)           "Occupational therapist" means any individual licensed in the State of North Carolina as an occupational therapist in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 90, Article 18D.

(6)           "Occupational therapist assistant" means any individual licensed in the State of North Carolina as an occupational therapist assistant in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 90, Article 18D.

(7)           "Psychologist" means a person licensed as a practicing psychologist in accordance with G.S. 90, Article 18A.

(8)           "Physiatrist" means a licensed physician who has completed a physical medicine and rehabilitation residency training program approved by the Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic Association.

(9)           "Physical therapist" means any person licensed in the State of North Carolina as a physical therapist in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 90, Article 18B.

(10)         "Physical therapist assistant" means any person duly licensed in the State of North Carolina as a physical therapist assistant in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 90-270.24, Article 18B.

(11)         "Recreational therapist" means a person certified by the State of North Carolina Therapeutic Recreational Certification Board.

(12)         "Rehabilitation nurse" means a registered nurse licensed in North Carolina, with training, either academic or on‑the‑job, in physical rehabilitation nursing and at least one year experience in physical rehabilitation nursing.

(13)         "Rehabilitation aide" means an unlicensed assistant who works under the supervision of a registered nurse, licensed physical therapist or occupational therapist in accordance with the appropriate occupational licensure laws governing his or her supervisor and consistent with staffing requirements as set forth in Rule .2027 of this Section. The rehabilitation aide shall be listed on the North Carolina Nurse Aide Registry and have received additional staff training as listed in Rule .2028 of this Section.

(14)         "Rehabilitation physician" means a physiatrist or a physician who is qualified, based on education, training and experience regardless of specialty, of providing medical care to rehabilitation patients.

(15)         "Social worker" means a person certified by the North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board in accordance with G.S. 90B-3.

(16)         "Speech and language pathologist" means any person licensed in the State of North Carolina as a speech and language pathologist in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 90, Article 22.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E-79; 143B-165;

Eff. May 1, 1993;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. July 22, 2017.