(1) A respiratory care practitioner may perform respiratory care procedures under medical direction with documented competency, in accordance with agency or facility guidelines and only in accordance with the prescription of a physician. The procedures shall include, but not be limited to, the assessment and therapeutic use of the following: medical gases, exclusive of general anesthesia; aerosols, humidification, environmental control systems; pharmacologic agents related to cardiopulmonary procedures, unless prohibited by the medical staff of the licensed health-care facility; mechanical or physiological ventilatory support; bronchopulmonary hygiene, maintenance of the natural airways; insertion without cutting tissues and maintenance of artificial airways; specific assessment and testing procedures such as drawing and analyzing of arterial blood gases employed in the medical measurement and monitoring of cardiac function as it relates to pulmonary pathophysiology.
(2) The practice of respiratory care may be performed in hospitals or in other settings where respiratory care is to be provided in accordance with a prescription of a physician. In addition, respiratory care may be provided during the transportation of a patient, or under any circumstances where an emergency necessitates respiratory care.

Terms Used In Kentucky Statutes 314A.100

  • Board: means the Kentucky Board of Respiratory Care. See Kentucky Statutes 314A.010
  • 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. See Kentucky Statutes 314A.010
  • 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 equivalent, and who has successfully completed the registry examination for advanced respiratory therapists administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care, Incorporated or its equivalent. See Kentucky Statutes 314A.010

(3) The respiratory care practitioner may transcribe and implement a physician’s written or verbal orders pertaining to the practice of respiratory care procedures as defined in this section.
(4) The respiratory care practitioner’s scope of practice shall include practice standards and guidelines as developed by the American Association for Respiratory Care, or its equivalent, and as incorporated by the board through promulgation of administrative regulations in accordance with KRS Chapter 13A.
Effective: July 14, 2000
History: Amended 2000 Ky. Acts ch. 295, sec. 2, effective July 14, 2000. — Created
1990 Ky. Acts ch. 201, sec. 2, effective July 13, 1990.