§9702. Definitions

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.   [PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

1.  Board.  "Board" means the Board of Respiratory Care Practitioners established under this chapter.

[PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

2.  Commissioner.  "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Professional and Financial Regulation.

[PL 1989, c. 450, §35 (AMD).]

3.  Department.  "Department" means the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation.

[PL 1989, c. 450, §35 (AMD).]

4.  Person.  "Person" means any individual, partnership, unincorporated organization or corporation.

[PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

5.  Respiratory care.  "Respiratory care" means the therapy, management, rehabilitation, diagnostic evaluation and care, administered on the order of a physician or surgeon, of patients with deficiencies and abnormalties affecting the cardiopulmonary system and associated aspects of other bodily systems, including, but not limited to, the following:

A. Direct and indirect pulmonary care services that are of comfort, safe, aseptic, preventative and restorative care to the patient;   [PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

B. Direct and indirect respiratory care services including, but not limited to, the administration of pharmacological, diagnostic and therapeutic agents related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitative or diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician;   [PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

C. Observation and monitoring of signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing, including determination of whether those signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior or general response exhibit abnormal characteristics;   [PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

D. Implementation based on observed abnormalities, appropriate reporting, referral, respiratory care protocols or changes in treatment, pursuant to a prescription by a person authorized to prescribe respiratory care or the initiation of emergency procedures; and   [PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

E. Diagnostic and therapeutic use of the following:

(1) Administration of medical gases, aerosols and humidification;

(2) Environmental control mechanisms and hyperbaric therapy;

(3) Pharmacological agents related to respiratory care procedures;

(4) Mechanical or physiological ventilatory support;

(5) Bronchopulmonary hygiene;

(6) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(7) Maintenance of natural airways;

(8) Insertion and maintenance of artificial airways;

(9) Specific diagnostic and testing techniques employed in the medical management of patients to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and research of pulmonary abnormalities, including measurement of ventilatory volumes, pressures and flows, collection of specimens of blood and collection of specimens from the respiratory tract;

(10) Analysis of blood gases and respiratory secretions and pulmonary function testing; and

(11) Hemodynamic and physiologic measurement and monitoring of cardiac functions as it relates to cardiopulmonary pathophysiology.   [PL 1989, c. 450, §36 (AMD).]

F. Initial and follow-up instruction and patient evaluation in a nonhospital setting for the diagnostic and therapeutic uses described in paragraph E.   [PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

"Respiratory care" includes the terms "respiratory therapy" or "inhalation therapy."

[PL 1989, c. 450, §36 (AMD).]

6.  Respiratory care practitioner.  "Respiratory care practitioner" means a person licensed as a respiratory therapist or as a respiratory care technician under this chapter.

[PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW).]

7.  Respiratory care practitioner trainee.  "Respiratory care practitioner trainee" means an employee of a health care facility who is enrolled in the clinical portion of an approved respiratory care educational program.

[PL 1989, c. 450, §37 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1985, c. 288, §3 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 450, §§35-37 (AMD).