§ 45:14E-3 — Definitions.

3. As used in this act: a. "Board" means the State Board of Respiratory Care established pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1991, c.31 (C.45:14E-4). b. "Director" means the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety. c. "Respiratory care" means the health specialty involving disease prevention, treatment, management, control, and care for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiac and pulmonary system. The care shall include the use of medical gases, air and oxygen-administering apparatus, environmental control systems, humidification and aerosols, drugs and medications, apparatus for cardiopulmonary support and control, postural drainage, chest percussion and vibration and breathing exercise, pulmonary rehabilitation, performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, maintenance of natural and mechanical airways, insertion and maintenance of artificial airways, and insertion and maintenance of peripheral arterial and peripheral venous catheters. The care shall also include testing techniques to assist in diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, and research, including but not necessarily limited to, the measurement of cardiopulmonary volumes, pressure and flow, and the drawing and analyzing of samples of arterial, capillary, and venous blood. Respiratory care shall also include: educating patients and caregivers about respiratory care procedures as part of a patient's disease management program; and providing professional consultation services to health care, educational, and community organizations, and State and local agencies. d. "Respiratory care practitioner" means a person licensed by the board to practice respiratory care under the direction or supervision of a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse, and who may transcribe and implement written, verbal, and protocol orders for respiratory care. e. "Respiratory care protocols" means policies and protocols developed by a licensed health care facility through collaboration, when appropriate, with administrators, physicians, registered nurses, physical therapists, respiratory care practitioners, and other licensed health care practitioners. f. "Respiratory care education program" means a program of respiratory care education accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), or its predecessor or successor organization. L.1991, c.31, s.3; amended 2004, c.167, s.1; 2017, c.120, s.1.