AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 24 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONERS.
What changed between versions
Item (11) was changed from 'Management of ECMO, ECCO2R and associated integrated therapies' (with a detailed definition of what counts as associated integrated therapies) to 'All forms of extracorporeal life support, including ECMO and ECCO2R.' This is broader because it covers all forms of extracorporeal life support rather than only the specifically listed ones.
The specific definition of 'associated integrated therapies' (meaning any clinical interventions, equipment, or procedures functionally or technically integrated with ECMO or ECCO2R systems, including renal replacement therapy, mechanical ventilation, and anticoagulation management) was removed entirely.
The synopsis now explicitly states that the bill allows qualified respiratory therapists to perform all duties associated with extracorporeal life support, including administering medication during the process. Previously, therapists could only assist and had to wait for another licensed professional to administer medication.
Sponsorship changed from House (Rep. Heffernan and Rep. Jones Giltner) to Senate (Sen. Poore and Rep. Heffernan), with new co-sponsors added. Technical corrections were made to conform to the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.
