§ 27-29.2-2 - Definitions. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 27-29.2-2

   § 27-29.2-2  Definitions. – As used in this chapter:

   (1) "Orthosis" means a custom fabricated brace or supportthat is designed based on medical necessity. "Orthosis" does not includeprefabricated or direct-formed orthotic devices, or any of the followingassistive technology devices: Commercially available knee orthoses usedfollowing injury or surgery; spastic muscle-tone inhibiting orthoses; upperextremity adaptive equipment; finger splints; hand splints; wrists gauntlets;face masks used following burns; wheelchair seating that is an integral part ofthe wheelchair and not worn by the patient independent of the wheelchair;fabric or elastic supports; corsets; low-temperature formed plastic splints;trusses; elastic hose; canes; crutches; cervical collars; dental appliances;and other similar devises as determined by the director of the department ofbusiness regulation such as those commonly carried in stock by a pharmacy,department store, corset shop, or surgical supply facility.

   (2) "Orthotics" means the science and practice of evaluating,measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, adjusting or servicing,as well as providing the initial training necessary to accomplish the fittingof an orthosis for the support, correction, or alleviation of neuromuscular ormusculoskeletal dysfunction, disease, injury or deformity. The practice oforthotics encompasses evaluation, treatment and consultation with basicobservational gait and postural analysis. Orthotists assess and design orthosesto maximize function and provide not only the support but the alignmentnecessary to either prevent or correct deformity or to improve the safety andefficiency of mobility or locomotion, or both. Orthotic practice includes,providing continuing patient care in order to assess its effect on thepatient's tissues and to assure proper fit and function of the orthotic deviceby periodic evaluation.

   (3) "Prosthesis" means an artificial limb that is alignableor, in lower extremity applications, capable of weight bearing. Prosthesismeans an artificial medical device that is not surgically implanted and that isused to replace a missing limb, appendage, or other external human body partincluding an artificial limb, hand, or foot. The term does not includeartificial eyes, ears, noses, dental appliances, osotmy products, or devicessuch as eyelashes or wigs.

   (4) "Prosthetics" means the science and practice ofevaluating, measuring, designing, fabricating, assembling, fitting, aligning,adjusting or servicing, as well as providing the initial training necessary toaccomplish the fitting of a prosthesis through the replacement of externalparts of a human body lost due to amputation or congenital deformities orabsences. The practice of prosthetics also includes the generation of an image,form, or mold that replicates the patient's body or body segment and thatrequires rectification of dimensions, contours and volumes for use in thedesign and fabrication of a socket to accept a residual anatomic limb to, inturn, create an artificial appendage that is designed either to support bodyweight or to improve or restore function or cosmesis, or both. Involved in thepractice of prosthetics is observational gait analysis and clinical assessmentof the requirements necessary to refine and mechanically fix the relativeposition of various parts of the prosthesis to maximize function, stability,and safety of the patient. The practice of prosthetics includes providing andcontinuing patient care in order to assess the prosthetic device's effect onthe patient's tissues and to assure proper fit and function of the prostheticdevice by periodic evaluation.