Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.23

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 420-5-7-.23 - Respiratory Care Services

(1) The hospital shall meet the needs of the patients in accordance with acceptable standards of practice. The following requirements apply if the hospital provides respiratory care service.

(2) Organization and Staffing. The organization of the respiratory care services shall be appropriate to the scope and complexity of the services offered.

(a) There shall be a director of respiratory care services who is a doctor of medicine or osteopathy with the knowledge experience, and capabilities to supervise and administer the service properly. The director may serve on either a full-time or part-time basis.

(b) There shall be adequate numbers of respiratory therapists, respiratory therapy technicians, and other personnel who meet the qualifications specified by the medical staff, consistent with state law.

(3) Delivery of Services. Services shall be delivered in accordance with medical staff directives.

(a) Personnel qualified to perform specific procedures and the amount of supervision required for personnel to carry out specific procedures shall be designated in writing.

(b) If blood gases or other laboratory tests are performed in the respiratory care unit, the unit shall meet the applicable requirements for laboratory services.

(c) Services shall only be provided under the orders of a qualified and licensed practitioner who is responsible for the care of the patient, acting within his or her scope or practice, and who is authorized by the hospital's medical staff to order the services in accordance with hospital policies and procedures.

(d) All respiratory care services orders shall be documented in the patient's medical record.

Ala. Admin. Code r. 420-5-7-.23

New Rule: Filed November 18, 1994; effective December 23, 1994. Repealed and New Rule: Filed August 24, 2012; effective September 28, 2012.

Author: W.T. Geary, Jr., M.D., Carter Sims

Statutory Authority:Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 22-21-20, et seq.