2902 – Reducing Risk of Illness, Injury, Lawsuits and Jail Time

Intermediate / Symposium 1-hour Lecture

Sanibel, FL / Tuesday, June 29, 2010 – 6:50-7:50 pm - 1.0 credit hour equal to 1.0 CEC/.1 CEU

(Classroom: 6:50-7:50 pm)

Faculty: Tom Lachocki, PhD

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Aquatic therapists spend a lot of time in the water. Though the aquatic environment provides several benefits for patients and therapists, the water also possesses several hazards. As a result of these hazards, both parties are exposed to risks that can result in illness and injury like recreational water illness, chemical exposure, and physical hazards like electrical shocks, slips and falls, suction entrapment, etc. Exposure to these risks can result in mild symptoms like rashes or diarrhea to more severe responses like cancer, pneumonia, or drowning. In our litigious world, any injury and illness may result in legal liability. The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act does include the potential for jail time. Since aquatic therapists solicit clients to use water for benefits, they also bear an ethical obligation to understand and minimize risk.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1) Explore the major risks and the consequences of those risks to therapists and clients.

2) Determine basic prevention strategies.

3) Examine educational resources available to help prevent injuries and illness, and to manage risk.

FACULTY: Thomas M. Lachocki, PhD, is the chief executive officer of the National Swimming Pool Foundation^® (NSPF^®). Before joining the Foundation in 2003, Dr. Lachocki was responsible for product development for a leading recreational-water-treatment chemical company. Tom earned his doctorate in organic chemistry from Louisiana State University.