21 NCAC 61 .0103. DEFINITIONS

The definitions of terms contained in G.S. 90-648 apply to this Chapter.  In addition, the following definitions apply with regard to these Rules:

(1)           Assessment means a clinical evaluation of the individual patient and the suitability and efficacy of a respiratory care procedure or treatment, including an assessment of the suitability and efficacy of equipment for the individual patient if equipment is to be used in the procedure or treatment.  Assessment can be performed by physician, Respiratory Care Practitioner (RCP) or other licensed health care provider within their scope of practice.

(2)           Respiratory care includes any acts, tests, procedures, treatments or modalities that are routinely taught in educational programs or in continuing education programs for respiratory care practitioners and are routinely performed in respiratory care practice settings.

(3)           The practice of respiratory care includes the application of a range of evaluation and treatment procedures related to the observing and monitoring of signs and symptoms, general behavior, and general physical response to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing, including the determination of whether such signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general response exhibit abnormal characteristics.  In addition to the general activities identified in G.S. 90-648(10), each of the following specific activities constitutes the practice of Respiratory care:

(a)           the performance of pulmonary diagnostic and sleep related testing;

(b)           the administration of pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care procedures;

(c)           establishment and maintenance of arterial lines for hemodynamic monitoring;

(d)           therapeutic evaluation and assessment relating to mechanical or physiological ventilatory support, including positive pressure support apparatus;

(e)           airway clearance techniques, postural drainage and chest percussion;

(f)            assistance with bronchoscopy;

(g)           asthma and respiratory disease management;

(h)           cardiopulmonary rehabilitation;

(i)            alleviating respiratory impairment and functional limitation by designing, implementing, and modifying therapeutic care plans;

(j)            patient instruction in respiratory care, functional training in self-care and home respiratory care management, and the promotion and maintenance of respiratory care fitness, health, and quality of life;

(k)           those advanced practice procedures that are recognized by the Board in declaratory rulings as being within the scope of respiratory care, when performed by an RCP with appropriate training; and

(l)            managing the clinical delivery of respiratory care services through the on-going supervision, teaching and evaluation of respiratory care.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-652;

Temporary Adoption Eff. October 15, 2001;

Eff. August 1, 2002;

Amended Eff. September 1, 2010; January 1, 2007; March 1, 2006.