FLORIDA SOCIETY FOR
RESPIRATORY CARE
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
Diversity of Care. Individual Practice. United by a Profession.
FSRC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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
FSRC – Diversity of Care. Individual Practice. United by a Profession.
2
prescribed respiratory therapy services regardless of the care setting
and patient demographics.

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.
FSRC – Diversity of Care. Individual Practice. United by a Profession.
3

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!
FSRC – Diversity of Care. Individual Practice. United by a Profession.
4