Protecting, maintaining and improving the health of all Minnesotans
Occupational Therapy Practitioners
Advisory Council Meeting Minutes
January 15, 2015
Attendance
Members
Lynnette Buckley
Chris Harbaugh
Dr. Stephen Jobe, DC
MDH Staff
Anne Kukowski
Kim Ruberg
Grace Rauchwarter
Bridget Woitas
Guests
Tracy Erforth
Absent
Lisa Dutton
I.
Introductions
II.
Announcements
Anne Kukowski informed Council Members that there were two new appointments to the
Council. The new members are Donna Coughlin and Laura McGrath.
III.
Review and Approval of Minutes from October 30, 2014
Minutes were approved as written
IV.
Additions/Adoption of Agenda
Kukowski requested that that the HPSP presentation be moved to before staff updates.
With this change the agenda was approved.
HPSP
Tracy Erfourth presented Council Members with information about the Health
Professionals Services Program.
V.
Staff Updates
A. Credentialing Report
Ruberg presented the OTP stats.
 Licensed OTs: 3,480.
 Licensed OTAs: 1,052.
 Total licensees: 4,532.
B. Investigation and Enforcement Report
Kukowski presented the report through the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2015.
OTA Investigations and Enforcement
 11 intakes (2 from allegations; 9 from applications)
 1 investigations opened
 7 Investigations closed (1 placed in abeyance; 1 civil penalty; 1 dismissed with
General Information: 651-201-5000 • Toll-free: 888-345-0823 • TTY: 651-201-5797 • www.health.state.mn.us
An equal opportunity employer




advisement; 2 due process timelines; 1 insufficient evidence to show violation; 1
combined and sent to enforcement)
1 open Enforcement (Illegal Practice)
1 Enforcement Closed
13 pending Investigations
5 pending Enforcements
OT Investigations and Enforcement
 5 intakes (3 from allegations; 2 from application)
 4 Investigation opened
 9 Investigations closed (1 placed in abeyance; 2 dismissed with advisements; 2
closed due to insufficient evidence; 3 due process/timeliness)
 0 Enforcements opened
 5 Enforcement closed (2 civil penalty; 2 due process/timeliness; 1 closed with
advisement)
 27 pending Investigations
 6 pending Enforcements
C. Budget
Kukowski noted that the reporting of salaries is about two weeks behind salaries earned
and owing. Therefore, the salaries item is lower than expected. She also noted that the
receipts are lower there are two large renews in the third and fourth quarter of Fiscal Year
2015. The council discussed the electronic payment process. Kukowski noted that
currently MDH pays for the electronic services fees. She noted that there may be some
future changes to the electronic payment process.
VI.
A. PAMS – supervision of OTA’s – Cathy Brennan
2014 legislation that removed approval requirements for use of Physical Agent
Modalities (PAMs) also removed statutory text relating to supervision of OTAs using
PAMs. MDH has received calls indicating that there is some question about whether
OTAs are required to have supervision when using PAMs and the level of that
supervision. Council members agreed that the expectations for supervision of OTAs with
respect to PAMs have not changed. While this should be clear from OTs’ supervision
responsibilities with respect to OTAs and from standards of practice, the Council agreed
that for the sake of clarity and protection of OTs who supervise OTAs, an amendment
might be advisable. If this is the course we decide to take and MDH is to carry the
proposal to the legislature, it would be included in proposed amendments for 2016.
Cathy Brennan, who requested that this item be discussed, was absent, this item will be
revisited at the next Occupational Therapy Advisory Council Meeting
Next Meeting
April 16, 2015
The Wellstone Center
2