KRS 314A.010: Definitions for chapter.

As used in this chapter:

(1) "Respiratory care" includes "respiratory therapy," "inhalation therapy," or other

"cardiopulmonary" terms.

(2) "Practice of respiratory care" means the procedures employed in the therapy,

management, rehabilitation, gathering of assessment information, or other

procedures administered to patients with deficiencies or abnormalities which affect

their cardiopulmonary system and associated aspects of cardiopulmonary and other

system functions. This includes but is not limited to:

(a) Provision of respiratory c are procedures to ensure the safety, comfort,

personal hygiene, protection of patients, and the performance of disease

prevention and restorative measures;

(b) The administration of pharmacologic and therapeutic agents related to the

cardiopulmonary care n ecessary for treatment, disease prevention, or

rehabilitation regimes prescribed by a physician; and

(c) Observation of signs and symptoms of cardiopulmonary illness, reactions to

treatment, general physical condition; determination of whether such signs,

symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general appearance exhibit abnormal

characteristics; and performance of standard procedures according to observed

abnormalities, or reporting them to the physician in charge or other caretakers;

initiating standard or emergency procedures.

(3) "Respiratory care practitioner" means a person who holds a mandatory certificate

approved by the board. The term "respiratory care practitioner" includes the

following:

(a) A "registered respiratory therapist" means an individual who has successfully

completed a training program accredited by the American Medical

Association's Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education or its

equivalent in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for

Respiratory Care or its equival ent, and who has successfully completed the

registry examination for advanced respiratory therapists administered by the

National Board for Respiratory Care, Incorporated or its equivalent;

(b) A "certified respiratory therapist" means an individual who ha s successfully

completed a training program accredited by the American Medical

Association's Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education or its

equivalent in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for

Respiratory Care or its equivalen t, and who has successfully completed the

entry level certification examination for respiratory therapists administered by

the National Board for Respiratory Care, Incorporated or its equivalent;

(c) A "graduate respiratory care practitioner" means an indi vidual who has

graduated from an approved educational program and is eligible to sit for the

entry level certification examination that will be administered by the National

Board for Respiratory Care, Incorporated or its equivalent;

(d) A "student respiratory care practitioner" means:

1. An individual enrolled in an education and training program, accredited

by the American Medical Association's Commission on Accreditation of

Allied Health Education or its equivalent and the Committee on

Accreditation for Respiratory Care or its equivalent, for respiratory care

practitioners and whose sponsoring educational institution assumes

responsibility for the supervision of and the services rendered by the

student respiratory care practitioner while the student is fun ctioning in a

clinical training capacity; or

2. An individual enrolled in an education and training program, accredited

by the American Medical Association's Commission on Accreditation of

Allied Health Education or its equivalent and the Committee on

Accreditation for Respiratory Care or its equivalent , and who is also

employed for compensation to provide respiratory care services as

outlined in KRS 314A.112.

(4) "Board" means the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care.

(5) "Accredited program" means a training program accredited by the American

Medical Ass ociation's Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health or its

equivalent in collaboration with the Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory

Care or its equivalent which qualifies the graduate to sit for the registry examination

or the entry level examin ation administered by the National Board for Respiratory

Care or its equivalent.

(6) "Mandatory certification" means the board's official authorization to practice

respiratory care for the time specified by the mandatory certification.

(7) "Continuing educ ation" means educational activities primarily designed to keep

respiratory care practitioners informed of developments in the respiratory care field

or any special areas of practice engaged in by such persons.

(8) "Documented competency" means adherence to guidelines established by health

facilities, medical staff, or accreditation agencies. These guidelines shall be in

accordance with national standards of practice deemed appropriate by the American

Association for Respiratory Care or its equivalent.

(9) "Medical director" means a licensed physician who is knowledgeable in the

diagnosis, treatment, and assessment of respiratory problems and whose

responsibilities are established by statutes and regulations governing the operation

of facilities licensed unde r KRS Chapter 216B, as well as statutes and regulations

dealing with hospice, home health, and other settings where respiratory care

services may be delivered.

(10) "Direct supervision" means supervision by a holder of a mandatory certificate who

shall be on the premises where respiratory care services are provided and who shall

be available for immediate consultation.

(11) "Indirect supervision" means supervision by a holder of a mandatory certificate who

shall be available by telephone and who shall have a response time, if needed, of

thirty (30) minutes or less.