Licensed Professionals and Medical Device Technicians Setting PAP Machine Pressures

MDT can set up equipment, but that is the extent of what they can do without a license.

Alaska does not regulate DME or does not require a license for respiratory therapy. No information found regarding requirements for CPAP setup and installation.

During an April 2017 meeting, the Medical Board voted that DME companies are not required to have a licensed respiratory care practitioner on staff, nor are they required to have a respiratory therapist set up and/or deliver equipment. Any questions regarding treatment and procedures must be referred to the licensed physician/respiratory therapist.

The device must be set by a respiratory therapist, or another healthcare practitioner authorized to perform this type of function pursuant to their respective scope of practice (i.e., nurse).

State Governing Board From Correspondence

The Idaho State Board of Medicine believes that the initial setup and training of the use of the equipment, supplies, and medication requires the skill and knowledge of a licensed respiratory care practitioner or other qualified licensed health care provider. Any changes to the settings of the equipment, dosage of the medication or liter flow of oxygen should be made by a licensed respiratory care practitioner or qualified licensed health care provider.

Anyone who is providing the service that you describe must be a licensed respiratory therapist in Kentucky. The machine may also be set by another health professional, licensed in Kentucky, who is practicing within their own scope of practice.

CPAP machines are considered respiratory care equipment and will require a license to operate on others.

Unlicensed individual is only able to set up machine. Licensed RCP can give general information on durable equipment/equipment orientation services (mechanical instruction).

New Mexico Respiratory Care Advisory Board

The Board determined that, pursuant to: N.J.A.C.13:44F-3.3 (/):The licensed respiratory care practitioner who delegates tasks set forth in N.J.A.C.13:44F (d) in an outpatient setting shall ensure a followup visit from a licensee or a person exempt from respiratory care licensure pursuant to N.J.S.A. 45:14E-9 ( c ), takes place within 24 hours of delivery of the equipment to the patient for the purpose of conducting an in-person assessment of the equipment.

The board does not have specific rules that address requirements for individuals setting up CPAP machines.

Any instruction to the patient regarding the prescription, the clinical use of equipment or patient monitoring, patient assessment, or other procedures designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment must be performed by a licensed respiratory therapist/technician or another authorized practitioner such as a physician or registered nurse. Non-licensed personnel may only deliver respiratory equipment for use by a patient.

A person who provides only support activities as defined in G. S. 90-648(13) is exempt as an unlicensed individual. They may:

Delegation by a respiratory care practitioner to unlicensed persons

N.M. Code R. § 16.23.14.11

NMSA 1978, Section 61-12B-3.C 61-12B-4

Rule 16.23.3.8

North Carolina North Carolina Respiratory Care Board a. Deliver, set up, and calibrate prescribed respiratory care equipment. b. Provide instructions on the use, fitting, and application of apparatus. c. Demonstrate the mechanical operation for the patient, or caregiver.

Ohio State Medical Board of Ohio

A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is within this definition and therefore setting pressure constitutes respiratory care. It is understood by this committee that “setting pressures” means the respiratory care professional is acting under the order of a physician or other approved provider.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure Respiratory Care Advisory Committee

Respiratory

Care

MDT Pennsylvania State Board of Osteopathic Medicine Statute 63 P.S. 422.13a(a.1) LP

Oregon Health Licensing Office

Care Practitioners Board Rhode Island Dept. of Health

Respiratory

37-28-102(3)(a), MCA MDT South Carolina

South

Wisconsin Wisconsin Respiratory Care Practitioners

Unlicensed, trained personnel could fix the settings on the machines pursuant to a physician’s order. The unlicensed individual could also offer masks for the patient to try and the patient to determine which one fits correctly, i.e., the patient fits the mask and turns on the machine to check the fit. The Advisory Board said any subsequent fittings after the initial one would have to be done by a licensed respiratory therapist.

Wyoming Wyoming State Board for Respiratory Care ss. 15.08 (5) (b), 227.11 (2), and 448.40 (1), S

The service you describe (adjusting the settings on a CPAP machine) generally falls into the scope of practice of a respiratory care practitioner and does require a credential.

A Wyoming respiratory care practitioner license is not needed to transport and install respiratory care equipment.

A Wyoming licensed respiratory care practitioner license will be required if the person is determining the equipment settings and the person is instructing the patient and is monitoring the patient’s condition.

Oversight and Quality Control

At VGMF, we take pride in meeting the needs of our DME Supplier customers and strive to address any issues promptly and effectively. Our dedicated Customer Success Team is here to assist with any concerns or questions you may have. If any concerns arise, we have a defined procedure for resolving issues and escalating them to the appropriate parties, ensuring that your needs are met in a timely and professional manner. The process includes gathering necessary information to resolve the complaint, reporting back to the customer within one business day, and escalating the complaint based on severity. All communication and documentation related to your feedback is stored securely in our internal system for future reference and quality management.

VGMF uses advanced software to automate its order processing procedures, including order validation, pick assignment, and shipping checks. Any failed job is automatically alerted to the appropriate team. Orders submitted through the customer portal are checked for completeness and accuracy, and an exception report is generated hourly to capture any rejected orders for the DME Supplier to review and resubmit. Warehouse personnel are intelligently routed through the warehouse to pick items that are closest to them, ensuring maximum efficiency. Orders are also checked for accuracy and completeness before shipping, and any flagged orders are independently reviewed before being shipped or re-picked. These important quality measures result in a 99.85% order accuracy rate.

Another component of VGMF’s oversight and quality control processes is that MDTs—beyond new hire processes—receive annual training and competency testing from an LP. This ensures VGMF’s standards for setting pressures on PAP machines are continuously met. VGMF has also established an internal audit component to the PAP Setup Program. During the audit process, one machine is selected at random for each MDT servicing equipment that day. It is then inspected for complete and accurate settings. Having this additional oversight from an LP demonstrates VGMF’s commitment to effective quality management.

VGMF practices an open, transparent, and sincere attitude toward compliance. We are willing to work with all DME Suppliers and DME Manufacturer partners through various channels to collaborate on regulatory compliance inquiries, clarifications, challenges, and solutions.

Our top priority is the care, safety, and service of your Patients, DME Suppliers, and DME Manufacturers. We are here to simplify the complexities of doing business and improve the quality of Patient lives. Thank you for the opportunity to share our Regulatory Compliance Program and License Portfolio and for trusting VGMF with your business.