What is one circumstance when OTs can perform a controlled act without authorization?

The situation in which occupational therapists (OTs) can perform a controlled act without specific authorization is during emergency scenarios, such as rendering first aid. In urgent situations, OTs may need to act quickly to provide necessary care to stabilize an individual’s condition or to prevent further harm. This principle is grounded in the idea that in emergencies, immediate action is often required, and delaying intervention to obtain prior authorization could result in detrimental outcomes for the person receiving care.

Other contexts, while important in their own right, do not provide the same level of justification for performing a controlled act without authorization. For example, routine health checks, providing counseling, and performing administrative tasks do not typically fall under emergency circumstances and thus do not allow for the same immediate dispensing of care that emergencies do. These activities usually require adherence to established protocols and, in many cases, formal authorizations or qualifications. In contrast, the urgency and unpredictability of emergencies make allowances for OTs to utilize their skills to intervene appropriately in a timely manner.