Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1370-01-.21 - TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND TELESUPERVISION
(1) Policy
Statement. Telecommunications may be used to deliver services to clients in
Tennessee who are physically present at a different location in this state at
the time they receive the services. Such use of telecommunications is in the
public interest provided the practitioners comply with the requirements of
T.C.A. §
63-1-155 and this rule.
(2) Pursuant to T.C.A. §
63-1-155,
Audiologists, Speech Language Pathologists, Clinical Fellows, Speech Language
Pathology Assistants, and Audiology Clinical Externs are considered healthcare
providers authorized to engage in telecommunications.
(3) For purposes of this rule, synchronous
telecommunications and asynchronous telecommunications shall have the same
definitions found in T.C.A. §
63-1-155(a)(3)(A) for "Telehealth" and
63-1-155(a)(2) for "Store-and-forward telemedicine services",
respectively.
(4)
Telecommunications shall include but not be limited to dedicated video systems,
computers, and other similar electronic devices linked via hardwired or
internet connections.
(5) The
services delivered through the use of telecommunications shall be equivalent in
quality to services delivered face-to-face.
(6) Providers using telecommunications to
deliver services must have the necessary knowledge and skills, obtained through
education, training, and experience, to utilize such technology in a competent
manner.
(7) Synchronous
telecommunications is preferred, but asynchronous telecommunication, as
authorized in T.C.A. § 63-1-155, may be utilized in the provider's
discretion provided that requirements of T.C.A. §§
63-17-101, et seq.
do not require a face-to-face interaction.
(8) Providers utilizing telecommunications to
deliver services to a client are responsible for:
(a) Assessment of the ability of the client
to participate meaningfully in the services delivered in this manner, including
but not limited to the client's physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities;
and
(b) Proper calibration of the
clinical instruments utilized to deliver services in accordance with standard
operating procedures and manufacturer's specifications.
(9) The client and/or the client's family
members or caregivers shall be informed of the available service delivery
options and shall give consent to the use of telecommunications before that
method of service delivery is utilized.
(10) When delivering services through the use
of telecommunications, providers shall:
(a)
Comply with all laws and rules governing the maintenance of client records,
including but not limited to client confidentiality requirements; and
(b) Comply with all professional standards
governing the delivery of services.
(11) This rule applies only to the delivery
of services to patients physically located within the state of Tennessee, which
requires a license under T.C.A. §§
63-17-101, et seq., unless such
services are being rendered by a volunteer under T.C.A. §
63-1-155(g). Any
provider who is licensed by the Board and who wishes to deliver
telecommunications services to a patient located in another state must comply
with the applicable laws of the other state.
(12) Telesupervision of Clinical Fellows,
Speech Language Pathology Assistants, and Clinical Externs by the Supervising
Licensee is authorized as part of direct supervision.
Notes
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 63-1-155 and 63-17-105.
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