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Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

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369Chapter 15 – Profession of PhysiotherapyStudents are evaluated by written <strong>and</strong> practical examinations. 11Entry to practise skills include the administration of inhaled drugs forcardiorespiratory conditions. Specifically, the pharmacology <strong>and</strong>indications for inhaled drugs that affect respiratory status <strong>and</strong> for whichtiming of dosage is relevant to secretion clearance <strong>and</strong> exercise areincluded in the curricula. 12Competency EvaluationAt the entry to practise level, administration of oxygen <strong>and</strong> other inhaleddrugs is evaluated in the national Physiotherapy Competency Examination.In the examination blueprint, one of the elements listed under interventionsis “administer oxygen as prescribed.” 13For therapists practicing in hospitals under medical directive, evaluation ofcompetency is specific to the institution. The process for this evaluation ismost frequently through a self-study examination. Other hospital personnelwho are authorized to perform this act must be engaged in physiotherapyeducational reviews <strong>and</strong> competency evaluation sessions. 14 Proficiency isdemonstrated through practical application, following which the medicaldirective is signed by a respiratory therapist.There is sufficient evidence that the administration of oxygen <strong>and</strong> otherinhaled substances is an entry-level competency held by physiotherapists.Request for Change: Administering Drugs<strong>and</strong> Substances by Inhalation 15The CPO <strong>and</strong> the OPA submit that physiotherapists have the education <strong>and</strong>competencies to be granted the authority to administer, by inhalation:i) Oxygen, orii)A drug or substance that has been ordered by a person who isauthorized to do so by the Chiropody Act, 1991, the Dentistry Act,1991, the Medicine Act, 1991, the Nursing Act, 1991 or the MidwiferyAct, 1991.Granting this act to the physiotherapy profession will give physiotherapiststhe authority to administer oxygen <strong>and</strong> substances such as Ventolin ® whenrequired as part of a physiotherapy intervention. 1611Ibid: Appendix B, 3.12Ibid: Appendix A, 8.13Ibid: Appendix A, 9.14Ibid: 24.15Ibid: 14.16Ibid: 16.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009

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