2012 Wyoming Statutes
TITLE 33 - PROFESSIONS AND OCCUPATIONS
CHAPTER 43 - RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONERS
33-43-102. Definitions.

(a) As used in this chapter:

(i) "Board" means the state board for respiratory care;

(ii) "Performance of respiratory care" means respiratory care in accordance with the prescription or verbal order of a licensed physician or other authorized health care professional and includes the diagnostic and therapeutic use of the following:

(A) Administration of aerosols, humidification and medical gases, except for the purpose of anesthesia;

(B) Hyperbaric therapy;

(C) Pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care procedures;

(D) Mechanical or physiological ventilatory support;

(E) Bronchopulmonary hygiene;

(F) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(G) Maintenance of the natural airway;

(H) Insertion and maintenance of artificial airways;

(J) Specific diagnostic and testing techniques employed in the monitoring, treatment and research of pulmonary abnormalities, including measurements of ventilatory volumes, pressures and flows, collection of specimens of blood and blood gases, expired and inspired gas samples, respiratory secretions and pulmonary function testing;

(K) Hemodynamic and other related physiologic measurements of the cardiopulmonary system;

(M) Respiratory care telecommunications;

(N) Cardiopulmonary disease management;

(O) Tobacco cessation;

(P) Sleep diagnostic procedures; and

(Q) Neurodiagnostics.

(iii) "Practice of respiratory care" means services which may be performed in any clinic, hospital, skilled nursing facility and private dwelling or other place deemed appropriate or necessary by the board, in accordance with the prescription or verbal order of a physician or other authorized health care professional and shall be performed under the supervision of a qualified medical director and shall include:

(A) Direct and indirect respiratory care services, including 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 or other authorized health care professional;

(B) Transcription and implementation of the written or verbal orders of a physician or other authorized health care professional pertaining to the practice of respiratory care;

(C) Observing and monitoring signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing, including determining whether the signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior or general response exhibit abnormal characteristics;

(D) Implementation, based on observed abnormalities, of appropriate reporting, referral, respiratory care protocols or changes in treatment, pursuant to a prescription by a person authorized to practice medicine under the laws of the state of Wyoming;

(E) Initiation of emergency procedures under the regulations of the board or as otherwise permitted in this act.

(iv) "Qualified medical director" means a licensed physician who has a special interest in the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory problems. The physician shall be, wherever possible, qualified by special training or experience in the management of acute and chronic respiratory disorders. The physician shall be competent to monitor and assess the quality, safety and appropriateness of the respiratory care services being provided. The medical director shall be accessible to and assure the competency of the respiratory care practitioner as well as require that respiratory care be ordered by a physician who has medical responsibility for that patient;

(v) "Respiratory care" means the allied health profession responsible for the treatment, management, diagnostic testing and control of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary systems under the supervision of a qualified medical director and includes the terms "inhalation therapy" and "respiratory therapy";

(vi) "Respiratory care practitioner" means:

(A) A person employed in the practice of respiratory care who has the knowledge and skill necessary to administer respiratory care as defined in paragraphs (ii) and (iii) of this subsection;

(B) A person who is capable of serving as a resource to the physician in relation to the technical aspects of respiratory care as to safe and effective methods for administering respiratory care modalities;

(C) A person who is able to function in situations of unsupervised patient contact requiring individual judgment; and

(D) A person capable of supervising, directing or teaching less skilled personnel in the provision of respiratory care services.

(vii) "This act" means W.S. 33-43-101 through 33-43-118.