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Administration of Pharmacological, Diagnostic
and Therapeutic Agents by Respiratory Therapists
May 12, 2005
The Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board (RTLB) has adopted the following position statement regarding the administration of pharmacological, diagnostic and therapeutic agents by licensed respiratory therapists in the care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system.
The RTLB believes that the administration of these various agents, or medications, falls within the scope of practice of licensed respiratory therapists: it is consistent with treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitative or diagnostic regimens prescribed by a physician or medical director.
Respiratory therapists who administer such agents should complete approved training from recognized sponsors and receive a certificate of competency to document their qualifications for administering the agents. Acceptable training should include a review of drug actions, side effects, contraindications and potential interactions. Respiratory therapists must be able to provide documentation of the sponsor, content, hours and competency received from such related training. Refer to OAR 331-720-0010.
As described in Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 688.805(6), the practice of respiratory care may be performed in any clinic, hospital, skilled nursing facility, private dwelling or other place considered appropriate or necessary by the Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board in accordance with the prescription or verbal order of a physician and shall be performed under a qualified medical director.
The Respiratory Therapist Licensing Board adopted this position statement on May 12, 2005.
The RTLB clarified the statement at its 10/21/05 regular meeting, saying it addresses those medications that do not readily fit within the respiratory therapist recognized scope of practice, e.g. medications used in sleep testing or cardiac stress testing.
The key for practitioners, said outgoing RTLB member Marie Keyes, is to follow the requirements set forth by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. For more information, visit www.jcaho.org.
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