Transforming and Supporting Patient Care - Health Professions ...

385Chapter 16 - Profession of Respiratory TherapyRespiratory Therapist and describes in detail the competencies required forsafe application of oxygen therapy.” 21 The RT is required to demonstrate anunderstanding and analysis of both the equipment used in the practice ofrespiratory care and the various medical gas systems. They are alsorequired to maintain the competencies for the activities/procedures thatthey perform.As part of the core competency for the CSRT National Competency profile,RTs are required to know the physical and chemical properties of oxygen,safety standards, delivery systems and devices, as well as the medicalindications and hazards. 22The administration of oxygen therapy is a core competency forRTs and…no further education would be required. 23It is an expectation outlined in the CRTO Standards of Practice that CRTOmembers demonstrate an understanding and analysis of both theequipment used in the practice of respiratory care and the various medicalgas systems. Members are also required to maintain the competencies forthe activities and procedures that are performed. 24The CRTO’s Quality Assurance (QA) Program is outlined in detail in theQuality Assurance Regulation 596/94 Part VI. 25 The QA Program is dividedinto two main components: the Continuous Quality Improvement module,and the Assessment module. Members are required to participate in theCRTO’s QA program on an ongoing basis. They are selected at random forassessment on a yearly basis and their knowledge of the application oflegislative and regulatory requirements is tested at that time. Members arerequired to keep a professional portfolio which monitors their day-to-daylearning and enables them to track at least one major learning objectiveeach year.PrescribingThe profession is in support of the new role of prescribing oxygen. TheCRTO noted that the proposal related to the ordering and prescribing ofoxygen was discussed and approved in principle at the Annual GeneralMeeting of the Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario (RTSO), theprovincial voluntary professional association.In interviews with members of other health professions, HPRAC heard thatRTs are respected for their knowledge of cardiorespiratory disease therapy,medical gas therapy, and knowledge of therapeutic modalities andequipment. They are relied on for arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis to21CRTO. Submission to HPRAC: Review of Non-Physician Prescribing and Administration of DrugsUnder the Regulated Health Professions Act. November 11, 2008: 6.22Ibid. 7.23Ibid. 7.24College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. Standards of Practice. 2004.25Ontario Regulation 596/94, Part VI – Quality Assurance under the Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991,S.O. 1991, c.39.HPRAC Critical Links January 2009