Connecticut General Statutes Title 20. Professional and Occupational Licensing, Certification, Title Protection and Registration. Examining Boards § 20-162n. Definitions

(1) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of Public Health;

(2) “Respiratory care” means health care under the direction of a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 370  1 or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378  2 and in accordance with written protocols developed by such physician or advanced practice registered nurse, employed in the therapy, management, rehabilitation, diagnostic evaluation and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities that affect the cardiopulmonary system and associated aspects of other system functions and that includes the following: (A) The therapeutic and diagnostic use of medical gases, administering apparatus, humidification and aerosols, administration of drugs and medications used to treat the cardiorespiratory systems, ventilatory assistance and ventilatory control, postural drainage, chest physiotherapy and breathing exercises, respiratory rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of natural airways as well as the insertion and maintenance of artificial airways, (B) the specific testing techniques employed in respiratory therapy to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment and research, including the measurement of ventilatory volumes, pressures and flows, specimen collection of blood and other materials, pulmonary function testing and hemodynamic and other related physiological monitoring of cardiopulmonary systems, including the percutaneous insertion and monitoring and maintenance of arterial catheters and the monitoring and maintenance of other cardiovascular indwelling catheters, including central venous and pulmonary artery catheters, (C) performance of a purified protein derivative test to identify exposure to tuberculosis, (D) patient education in self-care procedures as part of the ongoing program of respiratory care of such patient, (E) the insertion of intravenous and intraosseous catheters in appropriately identified health care settings, including medical evacuation and transport vehicles, outpatient bronchoscopy facilities and long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, provided the respiratory care practitioner has completed a competency-based training and education program in the insertion and maintenance of such catheters, (F) the insertion of nasogastric tubes, including such tubes used for the purpose of sensing diaphragmatic movements, and (G) the monitoring and maintenance of all forms of extracorporeal life support, including, but not limited to, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal in appropriately identified health care settings, including, adult, pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, provided the respiratory care practitioner (i) successfully completed the examination leading to the registered respiratory therapist credential and is recognized as a registered respiratory therapist by the National Board for Respiratory Care, (ii) has clinical experience in neonatal, pediatric or adult critical care, (iii) completed education and training to practice as an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation specialist in accordance with the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization's guidelines for training and continuing education of such specialists, (iv) practices as an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation specialist under the direction and supervision of a licensed physician trained in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, (v) does not participate in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation procedures that occur in an operating room, except in the case of a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate resuscitation of a patient, and (vi) if the practitioner is performing such monitoring or maintenance in a hospital setting, is approved by a committee of the hospital that is responsible for critical care. The practice of respiratory therapy is not limited to the hospital setting; and

(3) “Respiratory care practitioner” means a person who is licensed to practice respiratory care in this state pursuant to section 20-162o and who may transcribe and implement written and verbal orders for respiratory care issued by a physician licensed pursuant to chapter 370, or a physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 370 or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed pursuant to chapter 378 who is functioning within the person's respective scope of practice.