(1) The board defines "emergency procedures" as that term is used in 37-28-102 , MCA, to include, but not be limited to, known and physician-approved protocols relating to life-sustaining procedures in emergency situations in the absence of the immediate direction of a physician. Emergency respiratory care may also be provided during transportation of a patient and under any circumstances where an epidemic, public disaster or other emergency necessitates respiratory care.

(2) For the purposes of 37-28-102 (3)(a), MCA, "respiratory care" does not include the delivery, assembly, testing, simulated demonstration of the operation or demonstration of safety and maintenance of respiratory therapy equipment by home medical equipment ("HME") personnel to a client's home, pursuant to the written prescription of a physician. "Respiratory care" does include any instruction to the client regarding clinical use of the equipment, or any monitoring, assessment or other evaluation of therapeutic effects.

(3) The board defines "clinical supervision" as the availability of a licensed respiratory care practitioner for purposes of immediate communication and consultation.

(4) The board defines "pulse oximetry," "pulmonary function testing" and "spirometry" as diagnostic procedures that, pursuant to the orders of a physician, may be performed only by, or under clinical supervision of, a licensed respiratory care practitioner and/or other licensed health care provider who has met the minimum competency standards. The individual performing pulmonary function testing and spirometry must meet minimum competency standards, as they currently exist, as established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) or the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) certification examination for entry level respiratory therapist, certification examination for entry level pulmonary function technologist (CPFT) credential or registry examination for Advanced Pulmonary Function Technologists (RPFT) specific to pulmonary function testing.

(5) The board defines "formal pulmonary function testing" to include, but not be limited to:

(a) diffusion capacity studies; and

(b) complete lung volumes and flows.

(6) The board defines "informal screening spirometry" to include, but not be limited to:

(a) peak expiration flow rate;

(b) screening spirometry forced expiration volume for one second;

(c) forced vital capacity; and

(d) simple vital capacity.