Louisiana § RS 37:3353 - Definitions

§ RS 37:3353. 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)  "Licensed respiratory therapist" or "LRT" means a person who is licensed by the board to practice respiratory therapy under the qualified medical direction and supervision of a physician.

(3)  "Physician" means a person who is licensed by the board to practice medicine in this state.

(4)  "Respiratory care" is synonymous with the term "respiratory therapy" as defined in this Chapter.

(5)  "Respiratory therapy" means the allied health specialty practiced under the direction and supervision of a physician involving the assessment, treatment, testing, monitoring, and care of persons with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system.  Such therapy includes but is not limited to the following activities conducted upon a prescription or other order of a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant howsoever communicated and duly recorded:

(a)  Application and monitoring of oxygen therapy, invasive and noninvasive ventilatory therapy, mechanical ventilation, bronchial hygiene therapy, and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and resuscitation.

(b)  Insertion and care of airways.

(c)  Institution of any type of physiologic monitoring applicable to respiratory therapy, including but not limited to cardiopulmonary and neurological processes related to such diseases.

(d)  Insertion and care of peripheral arterial lines.

(e)  Administration of noncontrolled drugs and medications common to respiratory therapy that have been dispensed by a pharmacist and prescribed by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant to be administered by a licensed respiratory therapist as defined in this Chapter.  Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to authorize the administration of sedatives, hypnotics, anesthetics or paralytic agents, or intravenous administration of medications, with the exception of the administration of medications necessary during cardiopulmonary arrest by a licensed respiratory therapist certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), or a Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP).

(f)  Pulmonary assessment, testing techniques, and therapy modification required for implementation of physician-approved respiratory therapy protocols.

(g)  Administration of medical gases and environmental control systems and their apparatus, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

(h)  Administration of humidity and aerosol therapy.

(i)  Application of chest pulmonary therapy and associated broncho-pulmonary hygiene techniques.

(j)  Institution of physician-approved, patient-driven respiratory therapy protocols in emergency situations in the absence of a physician.

(k)  Supervision of students.

(l)  Performance of specific procedures and diagnostic testing relative to respiratory therapy that are ordered by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and research, including:

(i)  Drawing arterial, venous, and capillary blood samples and other body fluids for analysis to determine laboratory values to be performed on blood gas instrumentation.

(ii)  Collection of sputum and other body fluids for analysis.

(iii)  Procedures involved in patient preparation and assisting a physician who is in attendance with invasive procedures related to respiratory therapy, including but not limited to bronchoscopy, chest tube insertion, and tracheotomy.

(iv)  Measurement of expired gases in the performance of cardiopulmonary function tests common to respiratory therapy.

(v)  Starting of intravenous lines for the purpose of administering fluids pertinent to the practice of respiratory therapy in a special procedure area under the order of a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant.

(m)  Transcription and implementation of physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant orders pertinent to the practice of respiratory therapy to be provided by a licensed respiratory therapist.

(n)  Instruction of patient, family, and caregivers in the prevention, management, and therapeutic modalities related to respiratory therapy for patients in any setting.

(6)  "Respiratory therapy education program" means a program of respiratory therapy studies accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), or their predecessor or successor organizations or an equivalent program approved by the board.

Acts 1985, No. 408, §1; Acts 1995, No. 802, §1; Acts 2007, No. 142, §2.