As used in this article:

(1) "Board" means the Board of Medical Examiners of South Carolina.

(2) "Committee" means the Respiratory Care Committee which is established by this article as an advisory committee responsible to the board.

(3) "Respiratory care or respiratory therapy" means the allied health profession or specialty which provides educational, therapeutic, or diagnostic procedures utilized in the prevention, detection, and management of deficiencies or abnormalities, or both, of the cardiopulmonary systems.

(4) "Practice of respiratory care" may include, but is not limited to, the administration of pharmacologic, diagnostic, and therapeutic agents related to respiratory care procedures necessary to implement a treatment, disease prevention, pulmonary rehabilitative, or diagnostic regimen prescribed by a physician; transcription and implementation of written or verbal orders of a physician pertaining to the practice of respiratory care; observing and monitoring the signs and symptoms, general behavior, general physical response to respiratory care treatment and diagnostic testing including determination of whether such signs, symptoms, reactions, behavior, or general response exhibit abnormal characteristics and implementation, based on observed abnormalities or appropriate reporting, referral, respiratory care protocols or changes in treatment pursuant to the written or verbal orders of a person licensed to practice medicine under the laws of this State; or the initiation of emergency procedures under the regulations of the board or as otherwise permitted in this article. The practice of respiratory care may be performed in a clinic, hospital, skilled nursing facility, private dwelling, or other place considered appropriate or necessary by the board in accordance with the written or verbal order of a physician and must be performed under a qualified medical director.

(5) "Respiratory care practitioner" means a respiratory therapist or a respiratory therapy technician licensed to practice respiratory therapy who is a graduate of a school for respiratory therapy approved by the American Medical Association or a successor accrediting authority recognized as such by the board.

(6) "Medical director" means a physician licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina who has special interest and knowledge in the diagnosis, treatment, and assessment of respiratory problems. The practice of respiratory care or respiratory therapy must occur under the supervision of a qualified medical director. In the home care of cardiopulmonary patients, the existence of qualified physician sponsorship must be submitted and documented to the committee and approved by the board.

HISTORY: 1986 Act No. 403, Section 2; 1996 Act No. 223, Section 1. 1998 Act No. 280, Section 1.