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147C.05 SCOPE OF PRACTICE.
(a) The practice of respiratory care by a registered respiratory care practitioner includes,
but is not limited to, the following services:
(1) providing and monitoring therapeutic administration of medical gases, aerosols,
humidification, and pharmacological agents related to respiratory care procedures, but not
including administration of general anesthesia;
(2) carrying out therapeutic application and monitoring of mechanical ventilatory support;
(3) providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and maintenance of natural airways and
insertion and maintenance of artificial airways;
(4) assessing and monitoring signs, symptoms, and general behavior relating to, and general
physical response to, respiratory care treatment or evaluation for treatment and diagnostic testing,
including determination of whether the signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general response
exhibit abnormal characteristics;
(5) obtaining physiological specimens and interpreting physiological data including:
(i) analyzing arterial and venous blood gases;
(ii) assessing respiratory secretions;
(iii) measuring ventilatory volumes, pressures, and flows;
(iv) testing pulmonary function;
(v) testing and studying the cardiopulmonary system; and
(vi) diagnostic testing of breathing patterns related to sleep disorders;
(6) assisting hemodynamic monitoring and support of the cardiopulmonary system;
(7) assessing and making suggestions for modifications in the treatment regimen based on
abnormalities, protocols, or changes in patient response to respiratory care treatment;
(8) providing cardiopulmonary rehabilitation including respiratory-care related educational
components, postural drainage, chest physiotherapy, breathing exercises, aerosolized
administration of medications, and equipment use and maintenance;
(9) instructing patients and their families in techniques for the prevention, alleviation, and
rehabilitation of deficiencies, abnormalities, and diseases of the cardiopulmonary system; and
(10) transcribing and implementing physician orders for respiratory care services.
(b) Patient service by a practitioner must be limited to:
(1) services within the training and experience of the practitioner; and
(2) services within the parameters of the laws, rules, and standards of the facilities in which
the respiratory care practitioner practices.
(c) Respiratory care services provided by a registered respiratory care practitioner, whether
delivered in a health care facility or the patient's residence, must not be provided except upon
referral from a physician.
(d) This section does not prohibit an individual licensed or registered as a respiratory
therapist in another state or country from providing respiratory care in an emergency in this state,
providing respiratory care as a member of an organ harvesting team, or from providing respiratory
care on board an ambulance as part of an ambulance treatment team.
History: 1997 c 120 s 3; 2005 c 147 art 6 s 3

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes