2007 Minnesota Statutes

147C.01 DEFINITIONS.
    Subdivision 1. Applicability. The definitions in this section apply to this chapter.
    Subd. 2. Advisory council. "Advisory council" means the Respiratory Care Practitioner
Advisory Council established under section 147C.35.
    Subd. 3. Approved education program. "Approved education program" means a university,
college, or other postsecondary education program leading to eligibility for registry or certification
in respiratory care, that, at the time the student completes the program, is accredited by a national
accrediting organization approved by the board.
    Subd. 4. Board. "Board" means the Board of Medical Practice or its designee.
    Subd. 5. Contact hour. "Contact hour" means an instructional session of 50 consecutive
minutes, excluding coffee breaks, registration, meals without a speaker, and social activities.
    Subd. 6. Credential. "Credential" means a license, permit, certification, registration, or other
evidence of qualification or authorization to engage in respiratory care practice in this state or
any other state.
    Subd. 7. Credentialing examination. "Credentialing examination" means an examination
administered by the National Board for Respiratory Care or other national testing organization
approved by the board for credentialing as a certified respiratory therapy technician, registered
respiratory therapist, or other title indicating an entry or advanced level respiratory care
practitioner.
    Subd. 8. Health care facility. "Health care facility" means a hospital as defined in section
144.50, subdivision 2, a medical facility as defined in section 144.561, subdivision 1, paragraph
(b), or a nursing home as defined in section 144A.01, subdivision 5, a long-term acute care
facility, a subacute care facility, an outpatient clinic, a physician's office, or a hospice.
    Subd. 9. Qualified medical direction. "Qualified medical direction" means direction from
a licensed physician who is on the staff or is a consultant of a health care facility or home care
agency or home medical equipment provider and who has a special interest in and knowledge of
the diagnosis and treatment of deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases of the cardiopulmonary
system.
    Subd. 10. Respiratory care. "Respiratory care" means the provision of services described
under section 147C.05 for the assessment, treatment, education, management, evaluation, and
care of patients with deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases of the cardiopulmonary system,
under the guidance of qualified medical direction and pursuant to a referral from a physician who
has medical responsibility for the patient. It includes education pertaining to health promotion and
disease prevention, patient care, and treatment.
History: 1997 c 120 s 2