Quarterly report of all closed conduct files from February 1, 2022 – April 30, 2023.
Disclaimer: Decisions may vary depending on the circumstances. The reasons for a decision must be considered in light of the evidence and the actual issues pertaining to the allegation.
Case 1
Allegation
The physiotherapist failed to consistently meet several areas of the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta’s Code of Ethical Conduct.
Responsibilities to the Client
- Demonstrate sensitivity toward individual clients, respecting and taking into consideration their unique rights, needs, beliefs, values culture, goals and environmental context.
- Enhance their expertise through lifelong acquisition and refinement of knowledge, skills, abilities and professional behaviors.
Responsibilities to the Public
1. Conduct and present themselves with integrity and professionalism.
Responsibilities to Self and the Profession
- Commit to maintaining and enhancing the reputation and standing of the physiotherapy profession, and to inspiring public trust and confidence by treating everyone with dignity and respect in all interactions.
- Commit to lifelong learning and excellence in practice.
- Recognize the responsibility to share evidence-informed and clinical best practices in physiotherapy with each other and other health-care professionals.
Investigation
The matter was investigated. The investigation found there was some evidence of unprofessional conduct but not sufficient to support referral of this matter for a hearing.
Decision
The complaint was dismissed. The physiotherapist was provided with recommendations to improve practice.
- Review the Code of Ethical Conduct in detail and in its entirety.
“A code of ethical conduct sets out the ethical principles governing the conduct of members of the physiotherapy profession in Canada. It is a moral anchor that assures clients*, the public, and other health-care providers that members of the profession strive for the highest standards of ethical conduct.”
- Consider completing a professional education course addressing civility and communication as a component of the physiotherapist’s continuing professional education.
Case 2
Allegations
The physiotherapist’s record of the physiotherapy sessions on or about April 13 - April 26, 2022 is not a true reflection of the facts.
Investigation
The matter was investigated. There was no evidence of unprofessional conduct related to the allegation. However, during the investigation there was evidence that the physiotherapist’s documentation in the patient’s chart did not contain sufficient detail to meet the Documentation and Record Keeping Standard.
Decision
The complaint was dismissed and the member was provided with the following recommendations to improve future practice.
- It is the obligation of every member of the College of Physiotherapists of Alberta to be knowledgeable of and to consistently meet the Code of Ethical Conduct and the Standards of Practice, review the Code of Ethical Conduct, and all Standards of Practice in detail, particularly the Documentation and Record Keeping Standard.
- Complete the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (CPO) Record Keeping E-learning Module. This resource is offered at no cost. Although this resource is written by CPO for the province of Ontario, the basic documentation concepts are transferable. As the physiotherapist is registered in Alberta, the CPTA Standard of Practice regarding Documentation and Record Keeping is the standard that must be met.
- It is recommended that the physiotherapist seek guidance from supervisory personnel when dealing with sensitive matters with which they are unfamiliar to avoid escalation.
Case 3
Allegations
- The patient suffered an adverse reaction to physiotherapy treatment provided by the physiotherapist including a wound to the right shoulder and an exacerbation in pain in the elbow, and posterior shoulder.
- The physiotherapist failed to inform the patient of the potential risks of shock wave therapy and failed to recognize that the patient had suffered an injury following the treatment.
Investigation
The matter was investigated. The evidence gathered during the investigation does not support that the physiotherapist’s conduct was unprofessional.
Decision
The complaint was dismissed. However, the following recommendations were provided:
- The physiotherapist undertakes self-directed education, regarding shockwave therapy.
- The clinic undertakes regular evaluation and calibration of the shockwave equipment.
Case 4
Allegations
This complaint arose out of the physiotherapist’s ongoing and longstanding failure to meet the College of Physiotherapist’s Documentation and Record Keeping Standard. The Complaints Director initiated this complaint after the results from previously ordered chart audits were not satisfactory.
Investigation
The matter was investigated. The chart audit undertaken during the investigation provided evidence that there is significant improvement in the consistency of the physiotherapist’s charting and decrease in the number of late entries. The audit also provided evidence of a significant decrease in the use of ‘copy and paste’ documentation. Documentation remains limited and vague with respect to past medical history, physical findings, treatment parameters, education provided, treatment plan. While there is still some evidence of unprofessional conduct there is insufficient evidence to refer this matter for a hearing.
Decision
The complaint was dismissed. The physiotherapist was provided with the following recommendations to improve practice.
- Continue to enter treatment documentation at the time of treatment, or as close as possible to the time of treatment.
- Ensure that chart entries contain objective and substantive information that is a reasonable reflection of the treatment provided, including verbal information provided by and to the patient. Ensure objective information is included in documentation, using specific indicators such as degrees of range of motion, visual analogue pain scales, functional scales. Avoid the use of general terms such as “better,” “improved,” “good” which provide little to no information regarding the patient’s status.
Case 5
Allegation
Between January 1, 2019 and March 2022, the physiotherapist accessed thousands of patient files for no purpose allowed by section 27 of the Health Information Act.
Investigation
The matter was investigated. The investigation determined that while the physiotherapist accessed in excess of 8,000 patient files with whom they had no professional relationship, this was done in error as a result of inadequate training and inefficient use of the system. The evidence does not support that the physiotherapist engaged in unprofessional conduct of a nature that would require referral for a hearing.
Decision
The complaint was dismissed.
