Section 25-34.5-1-6 - "Practice of respiratory care" defined "Practice of respiratory care" means the allied health specialty designed to aid the supervising physician or osteopath in the treatment, management, diagnostic testing, control, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. The term includes the following:
(1) Administration of pharmacological, diagnostic, and therapeutic aids related to the implementation of a treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitation, or diagnostic regimen prescribed by and under the direct supervision of a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 as follows: (A) Administration of medical gases (except for the purpose of anesthesia), aerosols, and humidification.(B) Environmental control mechanisms and hyperbaric therapy.(C) Mechanical or physiological ventilatory support.(D) Bronchopulmonary hygiene.(E) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation.(F) Maintenance of the natural airway.(G) Insertion and maintenance of artificial airways.(H) Specific diagnostic and testing techniques employed in the medical management of patients to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and research of pulmonary abnormalities, including measurements of ventilatory volumes, pressures, and flows, collection of specimens of blood and blood gases, expired and inspired gas samples, respiratory secretions, and pulmonary function testing.(I) Utilization of hemodynamic and other related physiologic measurements to assess the status of the cardiopulmonary system.(2) Transcription and implementation of the written or verbal orders of a physician.(3) Observing and monitoring signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing, including determination of whether the signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general response exhibit abnormal characteristics.(4) Observing and referring based on abnormalities, protocols, or changes in treatment.(5) Repairing equipment used in the practice of respiratory care.As added by P.L. 242-1989, SEC.1. Amended by P.L. 60-2000, SEC.4.