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As used in this Part, the following terms shall mean the following, unless the context requires otherwise:

(1)  “Board” means the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, as established in La. Rev. Stat. 37:1262 et seq.

(2)  “Extracorporeal circulation” means the diversion of a patient’s blood through a heart-lung machine or a similar device that assumes the functions of the patient’s heart, lungs, kidney, liver, or other organs.

(3)  “Perfusion” means the functions necessary for the support, treatment, measurement, or supplementation of the cardiovascular, circulatory, respiratory systems or other organs, or a combination of those activities, and to ensure the safe management of physiologic functions by monitoring and analyzing the parameters:

(a)  The use of extracorporeal circulation, long-term cardiopulmonary support techniques, including extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and associated therapeutic and diagnostic techniques.

(b)  Counterpulsation, ventricular assistance, autotransfusion, blood conservation techniques, myocardial and organ preservation, extracorporeal life support, and isolated limb perfusion.

(c)  Blood management techniques, advanced life support, and other related functions.

(d)  In the performance of the acts described in this Subparagraph:

(i)  The administration of pharmacological agents, therapeutic agents, blood products or anesthetic agents through the extracorporeal circuit as ordered by a physician.

(ii)  The performance and use of:

(aa)  Anticoagulation monitoring and analysis.

(bb)  Physiologic monitoring and analysis.

(cc)  Blood gas and chemistry monitoring and analysis.

(dd)  Hematologic monitoring and analysis.

(ee)  Hypothermia.

(ff)  Hyperthermia.

(gg)  Hemoconcentration and hemodilution.

(hh)  Hemodialysis.

(iii)  The observation of signs and symptoms related to perfusion services, the determination of whether the signs and symptoms exhibit abnormal characteristics, and the implementation of appropriate reporting, perfusion protocols or changes in or the initiation of emergency.

(4)  “Perfusionist” means a person, qualified by academic and clinical education, to operate the extracorporeal circulation equipment during any medical situation where it is necessary to support or replace a person’s cardiopulmonary, circulatory, or respiratory function.  A perfusionist is responsible for the selection of appropriate equipment and techniques necessary for support, treatment, measurement, or supplementation of the cardiopulmonary and circulatory system of a patient, including the safe monitoring, analysis, and treatment of physiologic conditions.

(5)  “Perfusion protocols” means perfusion related policies and protocols developed or approved by a licensed health facility or a physician through collaboration with administrators, licensed perfusionists, and other health care professionals.

(6)  “Provisional licensed perfusionist” means a person provisionally licensed under this Part.

Acts 2003, No. 811, §1, eff. July 1, 2003.