Aquatic Liability from the Therapist & Practitioner Perspective Concerning Patient & Client Risk Marty Biondi, PT, CSCS, ATRIC & Mary O. Wykle, Ph.D.

I. Introduction to Liability for the Therapist Providing Water Therapy
    A. Patient Involvement
        • Patient health-related issues
        • Health risks specifically involving water therapy
    B. Diagnoses with increased liability concerns
        • Chronic and Neurologic Illness – MS, PD, COPD, CVA
        • Wound Care – waterproof dressings, MRSA, Crypto
        • Ambulatory patients – LE amputees and orthopedic clients
    C. Equipment Issues
        • Use/abuse of commonly utilized water therapy tools
        • Care of equipment with respect to injury, illness, infection
    D. Facility Liability Issues
        • What risks the therapist accepts in providing water therapy
        • Determining appropriate patients including oxygen and catheters
        • Minimizing potential for injury at a facility you own/rent
II. Liability Concerns with Therapy to Community Programs taught by Practitioners
    • Specialized Training and Certifications
    • Risks with mainstreaming clients dismissed from therapy/rehab into general aquatic programs
    • Establishing specific therapeutic classes and the liability incurred
    • Educating general participants to proper interaction and program modification
III. Management of Aquatic Risks Specific to the Therapeutic Setting
    • Emergency preparedness and identification of specialized risks
    • Emergency plans for Aquatic Therapy situations
On-going process of managing the emergency plans

Biographical Information:

Marty Biondi, PT, CSCS, ATRIC, is co-owner of Therapeutic & Wellness Specialists and has been involved in various aspects of aquatics for 29 years. She was re-elected Director of Practice for the APTA Aquatic Section and has served on both the Risk Management and Certifications Task Forces for the Section. Currently, she is involved with aquatic research, specifically low back pain. Marty has written chapters in several books regarding water therapy, including the second edition on Cole and
Becker’s Comprehensive Aquatic Therapy and is completing a book on low back pain treatments. Marty is a 2006 recipient of the ATRI Dolphin Award and the 2000 ATRI Tsunami Spirit Award.

Mary O. Wykle, PhD, ATRIC, AEA, ACE, ARC-IT is a professor of physical education at Northern Virginia Community College. She holds multiple certifications in aquatics and fitness. Her company, MW Associates, offers consulting workshops in health and aquatics. Mary is a long-time faculty member and serves on varied committees for ATRI. She is a regular presenter for the Aquatic Exercise Association/IAFC, and a member of the advisory board. She developed Aqua Pi-Yo-Chi™ and the supporting manual and DVD. This program is a specialty certificate with AEA. Mary is the author of Risk Awareness and Safety Training, the safety course developed specifically for aquatic therapy and aquatic practitioners. Her most recent awards include International Hall of Fame – John Williams Adapted Aquatics Award - 2007, the Joan Netherton Award for Excellence in Service and Teaching for her college - 2007, the ATRI Aquatic Professional of the Year award - 2006, Tsunami Award – 2004, Dolphin Award – 2003 , and induction into the WVU School of Physical Education Hall of Fame - 2006.