Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 46 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS
Part LXIII - Psychologists
Subpart 1 - General Provisions
Chapter 14 - Telepsychology and Telesupervision
Section LXIII-1407 - Responsibilities of the Louisiana Licensed Psychologist utilizing Telecommunications

1. At the beginning of a Telepsychology service with a client, the following essential information shall be verified by the psychologist.

1. Psychologists use secure Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)/Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act compliant communications.

1. Obtain consent for use of non-secured communications.

2. In cases of emergency, non-secured communications may be used with the consent of the patient and/or at the discretion of the psychologist based on clinical judgment

1. A thorough informed consent at the start of all services shall be performed.

2. The consent should be conducted in real-time.

3. Local, regional and national laws regarding verbal or written consent shall be followed.

4. The consent should include all information contained in the consent process for care including confidentiality and the limits to confidentiality in electronic communication:

1. Efforts shall be made to ensure privacy so clinical discussion cannot be overheard by others either inside or outside of the room where the service is provided.

2. Psychologists review with clients their policy and procedure to ensure privacy of communications via physical, technical, and administrative safeguards.

1. Psychologists shall have an Emergency Management plan in case of emergency in a telepsychology session.

2. The psychologist's plan should include but not be limited to: patient safety, information for patient support person, uncooperative patients and identifying local emergency personnel.

3. In an emergency situation with a patient, psychologists will follow the normal clinical emergency protocols.

4. In an emergency situation where a patient refuses to consent, emergency procedures will be followed using the pre-identified resources available at the remote site and permitted by prior consent/agreement of the client.

1. Psychologists ensure that documentation of service delivery via telepsychology is appropriately included in the clinical record (paper or electronic).

2. Psychologists ensure the secure destruction of any documents maintained in any media of telepsychology sessions and in accordance with APA guidelines, and all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

1. Psychologists are responsible for ensuring that any services provided via telecommunications are appropriate to be delivered through such media without affecting the relevant professional standards under which those services would be provided if delivered in person.

2. It is recommended that the initial interview/assessment occur in person. However, if conducted via telepsychology then the psychologist is responsible for meeting the same standard of care. This also includes but is not limited to reliability and validity of psychometric tests and other assessment methods; and consideration of normative data for such psychometric/ assessment tools; maintaining conditions of administration.

3. When providing therapeutic interventions, psychologists ensure that the modality being used is appropriate for delivery through electronic media and is appropriate for delivery to individuals, groups, and/or families/couples as indicated.

4. Psychologists reassess appropriateness of the use of telepsychology throughout the course of contact with the client.