§ 90-648. Definitions. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 90‑648. Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1)        Board. – The North Carolina Respiratory Care Board.

(2)        Diagnostic testing. – Cardiopulmonary procedures and testsperformed on the written order of a physician licensed under Article 1 of thisChapter that provide information to the physician to formulate a diagnosis ofthe patient's condition. The tests and procedures may include pulmonaryfunction testing, electrocardiograph testing, cardiac stress testing, and sleeprelated testing.

(3)        Direct supervision. – The authority and responsibility todirect the performance of activities as established by policies and proceduresfor safe and appropriate completion of services.

(4)        Individual. – A human being.

(5)        License. – A certificate issued by the Board recognizing theperson named therein as having met the requirements to practice respiratorycare as defined in this Article.

(6)        Licensee. – A person who has been issued a license underthis Article.

(7)        Medical director. – An appointed physician who is licensedunder Article 1 of this Chapter and a member of the entity's medical staff, andwho is granted the authority and responsibility for assuring and establishingpolicies and procedures and that the provision of such is provided to thequality, safety, and appropriateness standards as recognized within the definedscope of practice for the entity.

(8)        Person. – An individual, corporation, partnership,association, unit of government, or other legal entity.

(9)        Physician. – A doctor of medicine licensed by the State ofNorth Carolina in accordance with Article 1 of this Chapter.

(10)      Practice of respiratory care. – As defined by the writtenorder of a physician licensed under Article 1 of this Chapter, the observingand monitoring of signs and symptoms, general behavior, and general physicalresponse to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing, including thedetermination of whether such signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or generalresponse exhibit abnormal characteristics, and the performance of diagnostictesting and therapeutic application of:

a.         Medical gases, humidity, and aerosols including themaintenance of associated apparatus, except for the purpose of anesthesia.

b.         Pharmacologic agents related to respiratory care procedures,including those agents necessary to perform hemodynamic monitoring.

c.         Mechanical or physiological ventilatory support.

d.         Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of naturalairways, the insertion and maintenance of artificial airways under the directsupervision of a recognized medical director in a health care environment whichidentifies these services within the scope of practice by the facility'sgoverning board.

e.         Hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

f.          New and innovative respiratory care and related supportactivities in appropriately identified environments and under the training andpractice guidelines established by the American Association of RespiratoryCare.

The term also means the interpretation andimplementation of a physician's written or verbal order pertaining to the actsdescribed in this subdivision.

(11)      Respiratory care. – As defined by the written order of aphysician licensed under Article 1 of Chapter 90, the treatment, management,diagnostic testing, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalitiesassociated with the cardiopulmonary system.

(12)      Respiratory care practitioner. – A person who has beenlicensed by the Board to engage in the practice of respiratory care.

(13)      Support activities. – Procedures that do not require formalacademic training, including the delivery, setup, and maintenance of apparatus.The term also includes giving instructions on the use, fitting, and applicationof apparatus, but does not include therapeutic evaluation and assessment. (2000‑162, s. 1.)