Highlights of the December 13, 2004 Board Meeting

California Performance Review
After the August 2004, release of recommendations made by 275 volunteers who examined California State Government, the CPR Commission held eight hearings throughout California and received comments from over 3,600 members of the public. The recommendation made last August to move health related licensing and certification boards under the new "Health and Human Services Agency" received 95 comments; 9 in support, 85 in opposition and 1 neutral.

In November, the CPR Commission issued a report from their perspective and recommends that professional licensing functions should remain within the new "Commerce and Consumer Protection Department."

All of the recommendations and public comment are under review by the Governor's Office.

California Licensed RCPs Holding CRT/RRT Credentials
The Board reviewed data concerning the number of California licensees who also possess CRT and/or RRT credentials. It found:

30% of licensed RCPs hold the RRT (and CRT) credential
46% hold the CRT credential
24% hold no CRT/RRT credential

At the request of Dr. Sheldon, staff will continue to monitor and report credential data to determine if there is an increase in the number of licensees earning RRT credentials as a result of NBRC's new requirement to take and pass the registry exam within 3 years of earning the entry level CRT credential.

Upcoming 2005 Meeting Attendance
The Board supported the attendance and travel of its Executive Officer at the upcoming California Society for Respiratory Care's (CSRC's) January 7th Respiratory Care Summit, the CSRC's Greater Bay Area Chapter meeting March 7th - 9th, and the Medtrade (Home Care) Conference on April 7th.

Respiratory Care in California DVD
The Board was advised that the Respiratory Care in California DVD has been finalized and distributed to all California respiratory care programs. The Board reiterated its delight with the final product and the potential for extended outreach now that it has such an exceptional outreach tool available for distribution. A complimentary copy of the DVD may also be requested through the Board's website.

Professional Licensing Committee Report and Recommendations
The Board approved the Professional Licensing Committee's recommendations related to the practices of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Pulmonary Function Testing, and Polysomnography. The PLC's reports will soon be finalized for submission to the Joint Committee on Boards, Commissions and Consumer Protection at which time they will also be made available on the Board's website.

The Board deferred the Home Care Review and Recommendations report to its next meeting.

Proposed Ethics Course Regulatory Language
The Board approved proposed language and moved to begin the regulatory process to implement its Law and Professional Ethics Course requirement. The course will be required prior to initial licensure, during every other renewal cycle, and prior to reinstatement of a revoked license. The course is intended to enlighten practitioners through thought provoking and sensitive situations as to the appropriate action/inaction that should be taken in patient-care situations and other matters affecting their licensure.

Student Criminal Background Checks
Recently, in response to JCAHO requirements, the Board has been contacted by numerous respiratory care programs regarding hospitals requiring a background check prior to students beginning their clinical rotations. Several program directors have suggested that the Board consider screening students and issuing "student work permits" to satisfy hospital requirements.

It was noted that the Board does not currently have the legislative authority to implement such a process and that because each hospital/facility establishes its own process for purposes of background checks, there is no certainty that a Board issued "student work permit" would be accepted. It was also noted that hospitals have the option of requiring or not requiring background checks for students regardless if other employees are required to have the background checks. Other liability and feasibility issues were also raised.

A representative of the CSRC's Education Committee suggested the Board provide recommendations to assist respiratory education programs in meeting this requirement and agreed to provide the Board with information regarding any guidelines currently being followed.

The Board supported this suggestion and agreed to review the information once submitted.

Fee Reduction Scenarios
After review of its financial condition, the Board determined that a fee reduction could not be supported.

2004 Legislation
SB 1913 Board Sponsored Legislation [Support] - CHAPTERED
AB 2185 Asthma Treatment Care [Watch] - CHAPTERED
AB 2366 Registration Fees: Additional: Pollution Control [Watch] - DEAD
AB 2436 Clinical Laboratory Testing [Watch]- CHAPTERED
SB 1912 Pupil Health: Self Administration of Medication [Watch] - CHAPTERED
AB 2132 Pupil Health: Self Administration of Asthma Medication [Watch] - CHAPTERED
AB 2367 Pupil Health: Asthma [Watch] - DEAD

You can find more information regarding these bills by visiting www.leginfo.ca.gov.

2005 Proposed Legislation
Following the review of the 2005 proposed legislative language, the Board unanimously approved the package as written.

S 2707 and HR 2905 Federal Legislation
The Board approved a letter to be sent to all California Congressional Members urging their support of S 2707 and HR 2905 which propose needed changes to the Medicare home health services benefit. Specifically, this proposed legislation adds respiratory therapists and their services to a list of other providers and services that may be considered "skilled visits" under the plan of care.

Election of Officers
The Board unanimously elected Larry L. Renner, BS, RRT, RPFT, RCP to serve as the new Board President and unanimously re-elected Kim Cooper Salinger, MBA, RRT, RCP to continuing serving as the Board's Vice-President in 2005.

2005 Board Meetings
March 25, 2004 in Sacramento
August 12, 2004 in Burbank

Meeting agendas are available on this website under "Board Information" at least 10 days prior to the scheduled meeting date.

If you have any comments, suggestions or questions regarding Board business we'd like to hear from you. Please send an e-mail to: rcbinfo@dca.ca.gov.