STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA
REGULATORY
BOARD REVIEW OF THE
BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE
PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY
Licensure of the Practice of Speech-Language
Pathology and Audiology Is Needed to
Protect Public Interest
The Board Is Complying with Applicable
Laws and Rules
This report is a Regulatory Board Review which requires by law a determination of whether or not the Board is necessary for the protection of public health and safety. The finding of this report is that licensing the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology is necessary for public protection. In determining if there is a need for the Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, a primary consideration is whether the unregulated practice of the profession would clearly endanger the health and safety of the public. Table 1 identifies potential harm from improperly performed assessments and treatments.
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Audiology | 1. Improper insertion of objects in the ear such as ear molds, impedence probes and probe tube microphones. | 1. Damage to the ear canal and tympanic membrane. Inaccurate test results leading to misdiagnosis. |
2. Incorrect usage of impedence in an ear with an open tympanic membrane and a perilymphatic fistula. | 2. Meningitis, possible death. | |
3. Improper insertion of needle electrodes for electrophysiological testing. | 3. Extension of needle into the brain causing infection and possible brain damage. Inaccurate test results leading to misdiagnosis. | |
4. Assignation of hearing aid with too much gain for the recorded loss. | 4. Further hearing loss. Painfully loud sounds resulting in rejection of the hearing aid and the help it can offer. | |
Speech-Language Pathology | 1. Initiation of feeding too soon or inserting objects into the mouth for thermal stimulation during dysphagia treatment. | 1. Patient choking and/or aspirating leading to aspiration pneumonia and possible death. |
2. Improper placement, adjustment or monitoring of oral prostheses such as palatal lifts or obturators. | 2. Tissue breakdown secondary to pressure. Or device could weaken over time, break and fall into the airway. | |
3. Improper insertion of speaking devices for patients on respirators. | 3. Reduction in air flow. | |
4. Incorrect choice of augmentative devices for non-verbal patients. | 4. Limitation of communication competence if choice is below the patient's abilities. Frustration, withdrawal, decreased motivation to attempt communication or rejection of subsequent devices if choice is above the patient's abilities. Inappropriate educational and vocational placement. | |
5. Improper usage of facilitating techniques in the treatment of voice disorders. | 5. Vocal nodules. |
The scope of practice for speech language pathologists and audiologists has been expanding. Since regulation was first enacted, new technologies have allowed for more specialized diagnosis and treatment, including invasive procedures. Approximately 75% of the individuals typically treated by speech-language pathologists and audiologists nationwide are under age 11 or aver age 65. Children and older persons may be more vulnerable to incompetent professionals they may encounter.
Nationwide, 47 states regulate the practice of audiology and 44 regulate speech pathology. All but three states regulate by licensure, as opposed to certification or registration. Other states have also examined the need for regulation of speech-language pathologists and audiologists. The findings are illustrated below:
Issue 2: The Board Is Complying with Applicable Laws and Rules.
The Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology has complied with applicable laws and rules. These laws and rules, primarily found within the Board's own article of Code and in the general provisions of Chapter 30, are important in the effective operation of a licensing board. The Board has complied with the following requirements:
The passage of House Bill 4062 during the 2000 Regular Legislative session
required licensure boards to promulgate legislative rules detailing procedures
for the investigation and resolution of complaints against licensees. The
Board's rules (Code of State Rules §29-4) do detail these procedures.
Upon receipt of the complaint, the Board informs the licensee by certified
mail. The licensee must submit a written response to the Board within thirty
(30) days. The Board then sends a copy of the response to the complainant.
The investigator has sixty (60) days to review the complaint and report
findings to the Board. Then the Board may either dismiss the complaint
or suspend the license if it determines there is cause. The Board may refuse
to renew a license or may suspend a license if it determines there is probable
cause to believe that the speech-language pathologist's or audiologist's
conduct, practices or acts constitute an immediate danger to the public.
In FY 1999, the Board received one complaint which was closed after being
reviewed by the Board. In FY 2000, the Board investigated a complaint alleging
that an individual was practicing audiology in West Virginia without a
license. The Board investigated and denied an application for licensure
in the state due to a violation of rules governing the practice of audiology.
A review of complaints indicate that the Board provides the fundamental
components of "due process" by giving notice and the opportunity for a
hearing. The complaint form provided by the Board is available in Appendix
C. Table 2 indicates that West Virginia is similar to other states when
the number of complaints received is measured as a percent of the total
number of licensees.
Table 2
Comparison of Complaints
State | #Licensees | #Complaints |
Kentucky | 1920 | 2 |
Maryland | 2161 | 17 |
Virginia | 2221 | 5 |
Pennsylvania | 5273 | 16 |
Ohio | 4900 | 19 |
West Virginia | 631 | 3 |
The number of complaints and the number of licensees are taken from Calendar or Fiscal Year 2000, depending on how different states report the information. |
Financial independence and accountability are necessary for the effective operation of a licensure board. Receipts collected from licensure fees are deposited in a special revenue account, and the Board's expenses are disbursed from and charged to this account, as required by §30-1-10. Table 3 shows that the Board is self-sufficient and able to carry out its licensing responsibilities as required by law, WVC §30-1-6(c).
Table 3
Board Revenues, Expenditures and Cash Balances
FY 1998 | FY 1999 | FY 2000 | |
Revenue
|
$7680 | $50,380 | $10,176 |
Expenditures
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$24,829 | $38,497 | $42,848 |
End of Year Cash Balance
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$72,818 | $84,700 | $52,028 |
Source: 2001 PERD Analysis of Fund # 8646 |
Conclusion
The Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology
has significantly improved its performance since a 1998 Preliminary
Performance Review identified six areas of concern to the Legislative
Auditor. The Board is accessible to the public and is in compliance with
the provisions of Chapter 30 of the West Virginia Code. Through
its licensure requirements, the Board assures the public that its members
are competent to practice the professions and, therefore, serves to protect
society's more vulnerable members from incompetent and unscrupulous providers.
Recommendation 1:
The Legislature should consider continuing the Board of Examiners
for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.