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FLORIDA SOCIETY FOR RESPIRATORY CARE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

The Florida Society for Respiratory Care’s (FSRC) legislative priorities are determined by the current issues affecting today’s healthcare environment. The FSRC leads by example through its mission to “…promote professional excellence, advance the science and practice of respiratory care, and serve as an advocate for the patients, their families, the public, the profession and the respiratory therapist.” The FSRC monitors federal and state health policy together with the American Association for Respiratory Care supporting positive change that improves the delivery of respiratory care in Florida. The positions in this document emphasize the challenges to health policy impacting respiratory care and are accepted by the FSRC Board of Directors. The FSRC is dedicated to being an active advocate for those we represent.

PRIMARY ISSUES PROTECTION OF THE PROFESSION AND HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE

 Caregiver-To-Patient Ratios: The FSRC opposes any mandates for prescribed caregiver-to-patient ratios that do not take into account hospital census, patient acuity and the clinical competency of the caregiver caring for the individual patient. The FSRC, together with employers, remains committed to patient and employee safety.

 Reporting Of Staffing Levels: The FSRC opposes any mandates related to the reporting of staffing levels that do not take into consideration the factors affecting sufficient staff levels. SAFE CLINICAL PRACTICE

 Quality Patient Care: The FSRC supports high-quality, age appropriate care of the respiratory patient delivered in a timely manner.

 Education, Training & Competency: The FSRC supports formal education, training, and competency testing for the provision of prescribed respiratory therapy services regardless of the care setting and patient demographics.

FSRC – Diversity of Care. Individual Practice. United by a Profession. 2

 Academic Support: The FSRC supports post‐secondary academic institutions

accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and authorized under applicable law or other acceptable authority to award graduates of a respiratory care program an associate or higher degree at the completion of the program.

 Fraudulent Practices: The FSRC opposes and condemns fraudulent practices in Respiratory Care and encourages respiratory therapists to take all possible measures to prevent such practices. A CHANGING HEALTH MARKET

 Pulmonary Rehabilitation: The FSRC supports outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs as a multi-faceted continuum of care designed for persons with pulmonary disease and their families and a component of respiratory disease management.

 Medicaid: The FSRC supports Respiratory Therapy in all care sites under Medicaid.

 Non-Tobacco: The FSRC supports non-tobacco measures, medical treatment for smoking-related disease and legislative and regulatory efforts to control tobacco propagation and use. ADVANCED PRACTICE IN PATIENT CARE

 Sedative & Analgesic Medications: The FSRC supports the administration of sedative and analgesic medications by trained and competent Respiratory Therapists who are called to assist physicians during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and patient transportation.

 Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: The FSRC supports using qualified and appropriately educated Respiratory Therapists as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialists.

 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: The FSRC supports Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy delivery in the state of Florida.

 Polysomnography (Sleep Therapy): The FSRC supports the licensure of individuals performing testing and treatment of sleep disorders.

 The FSRC supports all licensed Respiratory Care practitioners operating within their licensed scope of practice who are performing testing and treatment of sleep disorders.

 The FSRC opposes additional licensure for qualified and appropriately trained Respiratory Care practitioners to perform Polysomnography services.

 Home Oxygen: The FSRC supports patient access to medically necessary home oxygen.

 Proactive Health Measures: The FSRC supports health promotion and disease prevention endeavors.

A COMMITMENT TO PRIORITIES

Collaborative Healthcare System: The FSRC is excited to work with organizations and professions to build and manage a health care system providing safe, high-quality, cost-effective patient care.

Employer Advocacy: The FSRC is supportive of the advocacy efforts of health care employers in Florida who provide a place for the practice and delivery of Respiratory Care.

More information is available by contacting: FSRC, P.O. Box 354400, Palm Coast, FL 32135 or by calling Toll Free 1-866-534-6172. Thank you!