2006 Louisiana Laws - RS 37:3353 — Definitions

§3353.  Definitions

As used in this Chapter, unless the context clearly states otherwise:

(1)  "Board" means the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners established in R.S. 37:1263.

(2)  "Physician" means a person who is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners to practice medicine in the state.

(3)  "Respiratory therapy" means the allied health specialty practiced under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician involving the treatment, testing, monitoring, and care of persons with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.  Such therapy includes the following activities conducted upon written prescription or verbal order of a physician and under his direct supervision:

(a)  Application and monitoring of oxygen, ventilatory therapy, bronchial hygiene therapy, respiratory rehabilitation, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(b)  Insertion and care of airways as ordered by a physician;

(c)  Institution of any type of physiologic monitoring applicable to respiratory therapy;

(d)  Administration of drugs and medications used in respiratory therapy that have been dispensed by a pharmacist and prescribed by a physician to be administered by qualified respiratory therapy personnel as defined in this Chapter;

(e)  Initiation of treatment changes and testing techniques required for the implementation of respiratory therapy protocols as directed by a physician;

(f)  Administration of medical gases and environmental control systems and their apparatus;

(g)  Administration of humidity and aerosol therapy;

(h)  Application of chest pulmonary therapy, transcription and implementation of the written and verbal orders of a physician;

(i)  The institution of known and physician-approved protocols relating to respiratory therapy in emergency situations in the absence of immediate direction by a physician; and

(j)  Supervision of other respiratory therapy personnel.  Such therapy shall also include specific procedures and diagnostic testing as ordered by the physician to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and research, including those procedures required and directed by the physician for the drawing of blood samples to determine acid-base status and blood gas values, the collection of other body fluids for analysis, and the measurement of cardiopulmonary functions.  Respiratory therapy shall also include teaching patient and family respiratory therapy procedures only as a part of a patient's ongoing program and consultation services under the order of a licensed physician for health, educational, and community agencies.

(4)  "Respiratory therapist" means a person who is licensed by the board to practice respiratory therapy only under the qualified medical direction and supervision of a licensed physician.

(5)  "Respiratory therapy technician" means a person who is licensed by the board to provide respiratory therapy only under the qualified medical direction and supervision of a licensed physician.

(6)  "Respiratory care practitioner" means a "respiratory therapist" or "respiratory therapy technician" licensed by the board to practice or provide respiratory therapy only under the qualified medical direction and supervision of a licensed physician.

Acts 1985, No. 408, §1; Acts 1995, No. 802, §1.