STANDARD OF PRACTICE
For the provision of work conditioning and functional conditioning
programmes.
The service provider should be knowledgeable of ethical and legal
implications related to the provision of work conditioning and functional conditioning
programmes. The service provider should:
1.1. Recognise the implications of any national and state political and industrial
workers compensation regulations and CTP injury compensation systems
1.2. Perform according to acts, regulations, codes of practice and organisational
requirements for manual handling and occupational health and safety legislation
1.3. Act within health regulations
1.4. Abide by the Information Privacy Principles 1
which includes maintaining client confidentiality, the manner in which personal
information is collected, informed consent, limited disclosures
1.5. Be cognisant of legal liability
1.6. Maintain professional accountability to all involved parties
1.7. Retain appropriate professional indemnity and public liability insurance
The service provider should be able to demonstrate an appropriate level of
professionalism, skills and competencies for all clinical staff.
2.1. Clinical staff must have qualifications as recognised by participating
professional bodies. Professional bodies are: Australian Physiotherapy Association,
Australian Association of Exercise and Sports Scientists, Occupational Therapy Australia,
Australian Medical Association.
2.2. All staff to demonstrate background knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to
their role
2.3. Demonstrate related experience pertaining to musculoskeletal assessment, exercise
prescription, programme management, programme evaluation and legislation within the
industry context.
2.4. Maintains association/professional memberships
2.5. All staff participate in ongoing training and professional development
The service provider is able to supply documentation on organisation structure and
administrative procedures to referring organisations. This documentation includes:
3.1. A mission statement
3.2. Policies and procedures
3.3. Programme structure and delivery roles
3.4. Clearly stated criteria used for outcome measurement
3.5. Record keeping procedures
3.6. Record of ongoing verbal and/or written communication to all relevant parties
3.7. A complaints procedure
The service provider should be able to demonstrate that the facilities and equipment
utilised in the provision of work conditioning and functional conditioning programmes are
safe and appropriate for that activity. The service provider should:
4.1. ensure that venue is suitable in size, space, safety and access
4.2. provide frequent, regular maintenance and calibration of equipment as recommended
by the manufacturer.
4.3. comply with relevant health regulations.
4.4. Appropriate range of equipment to simulate work and functional tasks
The service provider should be able to demonstrate knowledge of appropriate risk
stratification and emergency procedures as applicable to the provision of work
conditioning and functional conditioning programmes. As it applies to:
5.1. client assessment procedures in determination of function, rehabilitation
programming and supervision
5.2. safe equipment use
5.3. managing cardiopulmonary and other types of emergencies that may be encountered
with clients undergoing exercise programmes
5.4. The service provider and staff must retain appropriate
qualifications/certification in this regard (CPR/First Aid I certificate).
The service provider should provide a structured programme encompassing the following
components:
6.1. Written inclusion and exclusion criteria
6.2. Acquisition of past treatment/medical records
6.3. Musculoskeletal assessment findings indicating symptom irritability and
anticipated tolerance to physical conditioning
6.4. Pre & post programme evaluations that are objective and reproducible
6.5. Stated duration
6.6. Determination of client appropriateness for programme
6.7. Determination of client appropriateness for continuing the programme
6.8. Mechanism for reporting to referrer if client deemed inappropriate for programme
6.9. Mechanism for reporting to all relevant parties on client needs and
recommendations for programme management
6.10. Determination of achievable goals and objectives for
6.10.1. the programme
6.10.2. the client within the programme
6.10.3. the cessation of the programme
6.11. Ongoing client supervision
6.11.1. element of individual or group supervision
6.11.2. encouragement toward exercise autonomy when appropriate
6.11.3. defined process of transition to independent exercise
6.12. Educational component specific to workplace and/or functional demands, including:
6.12.1. manual handling procedures
6.12.2. injury prevention
6.12.3. activities of daily living
6.12.4. basic ergonomics
6.13. Integration of programme delivery and work place rehabilitation goals
The service provider should maintain an appropriate level of professional communication
with all relevant parties involved in the rehabilitation process. Relevant parties
involved may include the following:
client
referrer
rehabilitation provider
insurer
treating physician
specialist rehabilitation provider
other associated professionals
workplace
The service provider should maintain and store appropriate records documenting
provision of work conditioning and functional conditioning programmes and delivery of care
to clients. Documents should include:
8.1. Medical clearance for participation in the programme
8.2. Programme information and expected outcomes
8.3. Informed consent to participate in programme
8.4. Information release consent
8.5. All assessment information
8.6. Clinical findings requiring further referral
8.7. Ongoing clients response to rehabilitation programme
8.8. Documents recording assessment of level of adherence to programme
8.9. Record of communication to all parties e.g. file notes
8.10. Written information about the programme and expected outcomes be provided to the
insurer
8.11. Progress reports
The service provider should be able to demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional
development and the industry. The service provider should:
9.1. Support professional industry bodies
9.2. Support industry initiatives
9.3. Demonstrate a commitment to evidence based practice by:
9.3.1. keeping abreast with current research
9.3.2. having a willingness to participate in clinical research
Fees charged by the service provider for the provision of work conditioning and
functional conditioning programmes should be in accordance with the type of service
provided and associated professional involvement. Fees should:
10.1. be clearly stated and approved prior to service delivery
10.2. be cost effective
10.3. reflect the service provided
10.4. reflect the degree of supervision
10.5. reflect the level of reporting
Service providers to have an understanding and commitment to the principles of best
practice 2 at all times. Service
providers should:
11.1. seek client feedback
11.2. objectively evaluate results of programme
11.3. improve services as identified by results of evaluation
11.4. adopt evidence based practice
1. a. "Plain English Guidelines to the Information Privacy Principles"
can be purchased direct from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.
b. Information Privacy: Code of Practice (May, 1996)
Available from the NSW Department of Health or can be downloaded from www.health.nsw.gov.au
2. Advisory note on best practice:
Best practice is not a platform that one simply reaches, but a dynamic process of
continuous improvement.
To achieve best practice, there should be evidence of a cyclical process involving
1. Monitoring
2. Evaluating
3. Planning
4. Implementing improved systems, procedures and practices
3. Reference:
NSW Fitness Industry Code of Practice available at:
Fitness NSW 139 Alexander Street, Crows Nest NSW 2065 Australia
Working Party and Advisors
Working party
Greg Larkin (Chairman) |
QBE Workers Compensation (NSW) |
Suzanne Jones |
Fit for Work |
Anna Lee |
Work Ready, Industrial Athlete Centre |
Euan Tarleton |
Fit for Work |
Advisors
Susan Kable Sylvia Jacono Katrina Smith |
WorkCover Authority |
Suzanne Lulham |
Motor Accidents Authority |
Dianne Seeto |
Comcare |
Chris Maher |
Comcare/University of Sydney |
Francine St George |
Australian Physiotherapy Association |
Owen Curtis |
Australian Physiotherapy Association |
Karen Connor |
OT Australia (NSW) |
Joanne Graves |
Association of Rehabilitation Providers in the Private Sector |
Louise Greenwood |
CRS Australia |
Wayne Miranda |
Australian Defence Industries |
Pam Johnston |
Vocational Capacity Centre |
Alex Fahey |
Cumberland Health and Research Centre, University of Sydney |
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