As used in sections 20-162aa to 20-162cc, inclusive, and subsection (c) of section 19a-14:

(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Public Health.

(2) “Department” means the Department of Public Health.

(3) “Extracorporeal circulation” means the diversion of a patient's blood through a heart-lung machine or a similar device that assumes the functions of the patient's heart, lungs, kidney, liver or other organs.

(4) “Perfusion” means the functions necessary for the support, treatment, measurement or supplementation of the cardiovascular, circulatory or respiratory system or other organs, or a combination of such activities, and to ensure the safe management of physiologic functions by monitoring and analyzing the parameters of the systems under an order and under the supervision of a licensed physician, including, but not limited to:

(A) The use of extracorporeal circulation, long-term cardiopulmonary support techniques including extracorporeal carbon-dioxide removal and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and associated therapeutic and diagnostic technologies;

(B) Counterpulsation, ventricular assistance, autotransfusion, blood conservation techniques, myocardial and organ preservation, extracorporeal life support and isolated limb perfusion;

(C) The use of techniques involving blood management, advanced life support and other related functions; and

(D) In the performance of the following activities:

(i) The administration of pharmacological and therapeutic agents, or blood products or anesthetic agents through the extracorporeal circuit or through an intravenous line as ordered by a physician;

(ii) The performance and use of anticoagulation monitoring and analysis; physiologic monitoring and analysis; blood gas and chemistry monitoring and analysis; hematologic monitoring and analysis; hypothermia; hyperthermia; hemoconcentration and hemodilution; or modified extracorporeal circulatory hemodialysis; or

(iii) The observation of signs and symptoms related to perfusion services, the determination of whether the signs and symptoms exhibit abnormal characteristics, and the implementation of appropriate reporting, perfusion protocols, or changes in or the initiation of emergency procedures.

(5) “Perfusionist” means a person who is licensed to practice perfusion pursuant to the provisions of sections 20-162aa to 20-162cc, inclusive.

(6) “Direct supervision” means a supervising physician is physically present in the location where the perfusionist trainee is performing routine perfusion functions.

(P.A. 05-280, S. 69.)

History: This section was originally published as Sec. 20-162r in the 2006 Supplement to the General Statutes.