Assistive Devices Program

Expanded Role for Registered Respiratory Therapists

The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) provides funding to Ontario residents who demonstrate a medical need for home oxygen therapy.  As part of a hospital-based or community-based health care team, Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) play a significant role in assessing a patient’s need for oxygen therapy.

ADP will expand the role of hospital-based and community-based Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) in the process to fund home oxygen therapy for Ontario residents who:

• are being discharged home from an acute or chronic care hospital, or are clients of a Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) or a Family Health Team;
• need oxygen therapy in the home; and
• are requesting ADP funded home oxygen therapy for the first time.

In their expanded role, the hospital-based or community-based RRT will be able to complete the Application for Funding Home Oxygen in place of the prescribing physician or nurse practitioner.

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What is the expanded role for Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT)?

In their expanded role, when a physician or nurse practitioner prescribes home oxygen therapy, a hospital-based or community-based RRT can complete the Application for Funding Home Oxygen in place of the prescriber, for patients the RRT has assessed.

In completing the application, the RRT is:

• transcribing their patient’s diagnosis;
• confirming their patient has tried other treatment measures without success; and
• confirming that oxygen therapy is medically indicated, and is reasonable and necessary.

Is the expanded role open to all RRTs?

The expanded role is for hospital-based or community-based RRTs who meet the following criteria at the time he/she assessed their patient:

• holds a valid certificate of registration from the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario (CRTO);
• is employed at:
  • an acute or chronic care hospital;
  • a CCAC; or
  • a Family Health Team; and
• is not be employed by a VoR for Home Oxygen Services.

The expanded role is not open to RRTs who are employed by a VoR for Home Oxygen Services and work at a hospital, a CCAC or a FHT.

Can the RRT do this for all patients who are requesting ADP-funded home oxygen therapy?

ADP is expanding the role of hospital-based and community-based Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRT) in the process to fund home oxygen therapy for patients who:

• are being discharged home from an acute or chronic care hospital, or are clients of a Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) or a Family Health Team;
• need oxygen therapy in the home; and
• are requesting ADP-funded home oxygen therapy for the first time.

Is the RRT prescribing home oxygen therapy?

A physician (qualified to practice medicine in the province of Ontario) or a nurse practitioner (licensed to practice in the province of Ontario as a nurse practitioner) must still prescribe ADP-funded home oxygen therapy.

In completing the application, the RRT is:

• transcribing their patient’s diagnosis;
• confirming their patient has tried other treatment measures without success; and
• confirming that oxygen therapy is medically indicated, and is reasonable and necessary.

What else must the RRT do for these patients?

To assist their patient select a Vendor of Record (VoR) for Home Oxygen Services that meet their needs, the RRT must provide their patient with a list of VoRs located in their patient’s community.

The RRT must also provide their patient with the completed application and instruct the patient to give the completed application to the VoR the patient has selected.

What if I need more information on the expanded role of the RRT?

More information on the expanded role of RRTs is available at the College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario website.

Where can I get more information on ADP and funding for home oxygen therapy?

For more information on ADP and funding for home oxygen therapy, please review the following:

• the Policy and Administration Manual - Home Oxygen Therapy; and
• the Policies and Procedures Manual for the Assistive Devices Program.

The manuals are available through ADP’s website.

Is the VoR expected to retain a copy of the prescription?

Once the VoR receives a copy of the prescription for home oxygen services, they must retain a copy of the prescription in their client’s file and be able to produce the prescription if requested by the ADP.