What is the consequence of not adhering to supervision requirements for physical therapy aides?

Not adhering to supervision requirements for physical therapy aides can lead to legal repercussions for malpractice. This is because physical therapy aides are not licensed professionals and require oversight from licensed physical therapists to ensure patient safety and proper treatment protocols. If they operate outside of the established supervision guidelines, it undermines the standard of care expected in physical therapy practice. Consequently, this lack of supervision can lead to mistakes or injuries, which may expose the aides and supervising therapists to legal action by patients who may suffer due to inadequate care.

In contrast, allowing aides to work independently or continue tasks without supervision fails to recognize the critical role that licensed therapists play in ensuring patient safety. Furthermore, while additional training can be beneficial for aides, it does not directly address the legal implications of working unsupervised and thus is not a consequence of failing to adhere to supervision requirements.