(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, unlicensed or non-credentialed individuals who deliver prescribed respiratory care equipment, including, but not limited to, oxygen, oxygen concentrators, pulmonary hygiene devices, aerosol compressors and generators, suction machines, and positive airway pressure devices, may deliver, set up, calibrate, and demonstrate the mechanical operation of a specific piece of equipment to the patient, family, and caregivers, with the exception of mechanical ventilators, which only a licensed respiratory care practitioner or other authorized licensed personnel operating within the scope of his or her scope of practice may deliver and set up. Demonstration of the mechanical operation of a specific piece of equipment includes demonstration of the on-off switches, emergency buttons, and alarm silence and reset buttons, as appropriate. In order for unlicensed or non-credentialed personnel to deliver, set up, calibrate, and demonstrate a specific piece of equipment as allowed in this subsection (a), the employer must document that the employee has both received training and demonstrated competency using the specific piece of equipment under the supervision of a respiratory care practitioner licensed by this State or some other licensed practitioner operating within his or her scope of practice.
     Equipment demonstration is not to be interpreted as teaching, administration, or performance of respiratory care. Unlicensed or non-credentialed individuals may not attach the equipment to the patient or instruct the patient, family, or caregiver on the use of the equipment beyond the mechanical functions of the device.
     (b) Patients, family, and caregivers must be taught to use the equipment for the intended clinical application by a licensed respiratory care practitioner or other licensed health care professional operating within his or her scope of practice. This instruction may occur through follow-up after delivery, with an identical model in the health care facility prior to discharge or with an identical model at the medical supply office. Instructions to the patient regarding the clinical use of equipment, patient monitoring, patient assessment, or any other procedure used with the intent of evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment must be performed by a respiratory care practitioner licensed by this State or any other licensed practitioner operating within his or her scope of practice.