2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 37 — Professions and occupations
RS 37:2862 — Definitions

§2862. Definitions.

The following terms shall have the following meanings, unless otherwise specified:

(1) "Advisory Committee on Polysomnography" means the committee established in R.S. 37:2864.

(2) "American Academy of Sleep Medicine", hereinafter "AASM", means the national organization that establishes accreditation standards for sleep centers and sleep labs.

(3) "American Board of Sleep Medicine", hereinafter "ABSM", means the national organization developed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining standards of board certification for physicians practicing sleep disorders medicine.

(4) "Association of Polysomnographic Technologists", hereinafter "APT", means the national trade association for the promotion and advancement of the interests of polysomnographic technologists and technicians.

(5) "Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists", hereinafter "BRPT", means the national credentialing agency for polysomnographic technologists, or its successor organization.

(6) "Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs", hereinafter "CAAHEP", means the national agency that reviews and accredits educational programs of allied health sciences for the purpose of establishing and maintaining national standards.

(7) "Individual-in-training" means an individual who enters the field of polysomnographic technology after January 1, 2006, who must work under the direction and supervision of a registered polysomnographic technologist or the medical director of a sleep center or laboratory and is working towards BRPT registry or completion of a CAAHEP accredited program in polysomnography, or both. This Paragraph shall be null and cease to have effect after January 1, 2011.

(8) "Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners" means that organization established in R.S. 37:1263.

(9) "Physician" means an individual licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners.

(10) "Polysomnography" means the performance of sleep diagnostics under the direction and supervision of a physician to provide comprehensive clinical evaluation.

(11) "Polysomnographic technician" or "permit technician" means a registry eligible allied health professional who has completed an accredited CAAHEP educational program in polysomnography.

(12) "Polysomnographic technologist" or "technologist" means an allied health professional who is credentialed by the Board of Polysomnographic Technologists to perform both diagnostic and therapeutic polysomnograms under the direction and supervision of a physician.

(13) "Polysomnographic technology" means the allied health specialty practiced under the direction and supervision of a physician involving the attended monitoring and testing of individuals suffering from any sleep disorders as classified in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders. Such procedures include but are not limited to the following, conducted only upon written prescription or verbal order of a physician and under his direction and supervision:

(a) Application of electrodes and apparatus necessary to monitor and evaluate sleep disturbances, including application of devices which allow a physician to diagnose sleep disorders, which disorders include sleep breathing disorders, movement disorders, disorders of excessive somnolence, and physiologic impotence.

(b) Institution of any type of physiologic monitoring applicable to polysomnography.

(c) Initiation of treatment changes and testing techniques required for the implementation of polysomnographic protocols under the supervision and direction of a physician.

Acts 2005, No. 272, §1, eff. June 29, 2005.