1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to respiratory therapists; providing
1.3 	recognition for the practice of respiratory therapy in
1.4 	emergency situations; amending Minnesota Statutes
1.5 	2004, section 147C.05.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 147C.05, is
1.8 	amended to read:
1.9 	147C.05 SCOPE OF PRACTICE.
1.10 	(a) The practice of respiratory care by a registered
1.11 	respiratory care practitioner includes, but is not limited to,
1.12 	the following services:
1.13 	(1) providing and monitoring therapeutic administration of
1.14 	medical gases, aerosols, humidification, and pharmacological
1.15 	agents related to respiratory care procedures, but not including
1.16 	administration of general anesthesia;
1.17 	(2) carrying out therapeutic application and monitoring of
1.18 	mechanical ventilatory support;
1.19 	(3) providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance
1.20 	of natural airways and insertion and maintenance of artificial
1.21 	airways;
1.22 	(4) assessing and monitoring signs, symptoms, and general
1.23 	behavior relating to, and general physical response to,
1.24 	respiratory care treatment or evaluation for treatment and
1.25 	diagnostic testing, including determination of whether the
2.1 	signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general response
2.2 	exhibit abnormal characteristics;
2.3 	(5) obtaining physiological specimens and interpreting
2.4 	physiological data including:
2.5 	(i) analyzing arterial and venous blood gases;
2.6 	(ii) assessing respiratory secretions;
2.7 	(iii) measuring ventilatory volumes, pressures, and flows;
2.8 	(iv) testing pulmonary function;
2.9 	(v) testing and studying the cardiopulmonary system; and
2.10 	(vi) diagnostic testing of breathing patterns related to
2.11 	sleep disorders;
2.12 	(6) assisting hemodynamic monitoring and support of the
2.13 	cardiopulmonary system;
2.14 	(7) assessing and making suggestions for modifications in
2.15 	the treatment regimen based on abnormalities, protocols, or
2.16 	changes in patient response to respiratory care treatment;
2.17 	(8) providing cardiopulmonary rehabilitation including
2.18 	respiratory-care related educational components, postural
2.19 	drainage, chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises, aerosolized
2.20 	administration of medications, and equipment use and
2.21 	maintenance;
2.22 	(9) instructing patients and their families in techniques
2.23 	for the prevention, alleviation, and rehabilitation of
2.24 	deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases of the cardiopulmonary
2.25 	system; and
2.26 	(10) transcribing and implementing physician orders for
2.27 	respiratory care services.
2.28 	(b) Patient service by a practitioner must be limited to:
2.29 	(1) services within the training and experience of the
2.30 	practitioner; and
2.31 	(2) services within the parameters of the laws, rules, and
2.32 	standards of the facilities in which the respiratory care
2.33 	practitioner practices.
2.34 	(c) Respiratory care services provided by a registered
2.35 	respiratory care practitioner, whether delivered in a health
2.36 	care facility or the patient's residence, must not be provided
3.1 	except upon referral from a physician.
3.2 	(d) This section does not prohibit an individual licensed
3.3 	or registered as a respiratory therapist in another state or
3.4 	country from providing respiratory care in an emergency in this
3.5 	state, providing respiratory care as a member of an organ
3.6 	harvesting team, or from providing respiratory care on board an
3.7 	ambulance as part of an ambulance treatment team.