POLICY:   

In the event a client discontinues therapy, Parents or Caregivers (PCG) need to be called by the treating or evaluating therapist before a discharge note can be completed. The therapist will discuss the reason for the drop out, as well as provide education on the specific benefits of outpatient PT/OT/ST therapy for the client in question. If PCG still wishes to discharge from services, an HEP should be provided. 

​

 

DEFINITIONS:   

Treating Therapist: The therapist who most consistently sees the client. This includes PTAs, COTAs, and SLPAs. 

 

Evaluating Therapist: The therapist who most consistently or most recently completed the client’s evaluations and progress notes.  

 

 

PROCEDURE:    

 

1. When receiving a phone call from a PCG for the purpose of discharging a client from therapy services, the front desk staff will immediately locate the client’s treating therapist to see if they are available to talk with the PCG. At this time, education on the value of outpatient services should be completed. If PCG still wishes to drop out, an HEP should be discussed. 

2. If the treating therapist is unavailable or if there is not a therapy tech present to work with their current client, front desk personnel will communicate to PCG that the therapist will call back to discuss carryover exercises for the home. 

3. The receptionist will then schedule a discharge note on the client’s evaluating therapist. 

4. If a call-back is necessary, the evaluating therapist should utilize the scheduled time for the discharge note to make this phone call. If the treating and evaluating therapists are not the same person (i.e., the treating therapist is a COTA but the evaluating therapist is an OTR), these two therapists should discuss who is the most appropriate person to call the PCG. 

5. If after discussion and education the PCG still wants to discharge from therapy, therapist should discuss an HEP. This can be communicated verbally or scanned into the client’s chart and emailed. 

6. If the client’s PCG is unable to be reached by phone, a message should be left emphasizing the specific benefits of therapy for the client in question, as well as a request for a return phone call in order to discuss provision of home exercises. 

7. All communication should be documented. Documentation can be recorded in the client’s discharge note, if applicable, or the “General Notes and Call Log” of the client’s EMR chart. 

​

​

CREATED:  06-01-2020

REVISED: