65-5502. Definitions. As used in K.S.A. 65-5501 to 65-5517, inclusive and amendments thereto:

(a) "Board" means the state board of healing arts.

(b) "Respiratory therapy" is a health care profession whose therapists practice under the supervision of a qualified medical director and with the prescription of a licensed physician providing therapy, management, rehabilitation, respiratory assessment and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities which affect the pulmonary system and associated other systems functions. The duties which may be performed by a respiratory therapist include:

(1) Direct and indirect respiratory therapy services that are safe, aseptic, preventative and restorative to the patient.

(2) Direct and indirect respiratory therapy services, including but not limited to, the administration of pharmacological and diagnostic and therapeutic agents related to respiratory therapy procedures to implement a treatment, disease prevention or pulmonary rehabilitative regimen prescribed by a physician.

(3) Administration of medical gases, exclusive of general anesthesia, aerosols, humidification and environmental control systems.

(4) Transcription and implementation of written or verbal orders of a physician pertaining to the practice of respiratory therapy.

(5) Implementation of respiratory therapy protocols as defined by the medical staff of an institution or a qualified medical director or other written protocol, changes in treatment pursuant to the written or verbal orders of a physician or the initiation of emergency procedures as authorized by written protocols.

(c) "Respiratory therapist" means a person who is licensed to practice respiratory therapy as defined in this act.

(d) "Person" means any individual, partnership, unincorporated organization or corporation.

(e) "Physician" means a person who is licensed by the board to practice medicine and surgery.

(f) "Qualified medical director" means the medical director of any inpatient or outpatient respiratory therapy service, department or home care agency. The medical director shall be a physician who has interest and knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory problems. This physician shall be responsible for the quality, safety and appropriateness of the respiratory services provided and require that respiratory therapy be ordered by a physician who has medical responsibility for the patient. The medical director shall be readily accessible to the respiratory therapy practitioner.

History: L. 1986, ch. 322, § 2; L. 1999, ch. 87, § 7; Mar. 1, 2000.