(a) The practice of respiratory care by a licensed respiratory therapist includes, but is not limited to, the following services:

(1) providing and monitoring therapeutic administration of medical gases, aerosols, humidification, and pharmacological agents related to respiratory care procedures, but not including administration of general anesthesia;

(2) carrying out therapeutic application and monitoring of mechanical ventilatory support;

(3) providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of natural airways and insertion and maintenance of artificial airways;

(4) assessing and monitoring signs, symptoms, and general behavior relating to, and general physical response to, respiratory care treatment or evaluation for treatment and diagnostic testing, including determination of whether the signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general response exhibit abnormal characteristics;

(5) obtaining physiological specimens and interpreting physiological data including:

(i) analyzing arterial and venous blood gases;

(ii) assessing respiratory secretions;

(iii) measuring ventilatory volumes, pressures, and flows;

(iv) testing pulmonary function;

(v) testing and studying the cardiopulmonary system; and

(vi) diagnostic and therapeutic testing of breathing patterns related to sleep disorders;

(6) assisting hemodynamic monitoring and support of the cardiopulmonary system;

(7) assessing and making suggestions for modifications in the treatment regimen based on abnormalities, protocols, or changes in patient response to respiratory care treatment;

(8) providing cardiopulmonary rehabilitation including respiratory-care related educational components, postural drainage, chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises, aerosolized administration of medications, and equipment use and maintenance;

(9) instructing patients and their families in techniques for the prevention, alleviation, and rehabilitation of deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases of the cardiopulmonary system; and

(10) transcribing and implementing verbal, written, or telecommunicated orders from a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant for respiratory care services.

(b) This section does not prohibit a respiratory therapist from performing advances in the art and techniques of respiratory care learned through formal or specialized training as approved by the Respiratory Care Advisory Council.

(c) This section does not prohibit an individual licensed or credentialed as a respiratory therapist in another state or country from providing respiratory care in an emergency in this state, providing respiratory care as a member of an organ harvesting team, or from providing respiratory care on board an ambulance as part of an ambulance treatment team.

History: 1997 c 120 s 3; 2005 c 147 art 6 s 3; 2009 c 142 art 2 s 2