Sec. 20-162aa. Definitions. As used in sections 20-162aa to 20-162cc, inclusive,
and subsection (c) of section 19a-14:
(1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Health.
(2) "Department" means the Department of Public Health.
(3) "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.
(4) "Perfusion" means the functions necessary for the support, treatment, measurement or supplementation of the cardiovascular, circulatory or respiratory system or
other organs, or a combination of such activities, and to ensure the safe management of
physiologic functions by monitoring and analyzing the parameters of the systems under
an order and under the supervision of a licensed physician, including, but not limited to:
(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 technologies;
(B) Counterpulsation, ventricular assistance, autotransfusion, blood conservation
techniques, myocardial and organ preservation, extracorporeal life support and isolated
limb perfusion;
(C) The use of techniques involving blood management, advanced life support and
other related functions; and
(D) In the performance of the following activities:
(i) The administration of pharmacological and therapeutic agents, or blood products
or anesthetic agents through the extracorporeal circuit or through an intravenous line
as ordered by a physician;
(ii) The performance and use of anticoagulation monitoring and analysis; physiologic monitoring and analysis; blood gas and chemistry monitoring and analysis; hematologic monitoring and analysis; hypothermia; hyperthermia; hemoconcentration and
hemodilution; or modified extracorporeal circulatory hemodialysis; or
(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 procedures.
(5) "Perfusionist" means a person who is licensed to practice perfusion pursuant to
the provisions of sections 20-162aa to 20-162cc, inclusive.
(6) "Direct supervision" means a supervising physician is physically present in the
location where the perfusionist trainee is performing routine perfusion functions.
(P.A. 05-280, S. 69.)
History: This section was originally published as Sec. 20-162r in the 2006 Supplement to the General Statutes.
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Sec. 20-162bb. Licensure as perfusionist. Application and examination. Alternative licensure criteria. Exceptions. Annual license renewal. (a) No person shall
practice perfusion in this state unless the person holds a valid license from the department
to practice perfusion in this state. No person shall use the title "perfusionist" or make
use of any title, words, letters or abbreviations that may reasonably be confused with
licensure as a perfusionist unless such person holds a valid license from the department
to practice perfusion in this state.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, each person seeking licensure to practice perfusion in this state shall make application on forms prescribed by
the department, pay an application fee of three hundred fifteen dollars and present to
the department satisfactory evidence that such person (1) successfully completed a perfusion education program with standards established by the Accreditation Committee
for Perfusion Education and approved by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied
Health Education Programs; (2) completed a minimum of fifty cases after graduating
from a perfusion education program accredited or approved pursuant to subdivision (1)
of this subsection; and (3) after completing the requirements set forth in subdivision (2)
of this subsection, successfully completed the certification examination offered by the
American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, or its successor. The commissioner shall
grant a license as a perfusionist to any applicant who meets the requirements of this
subsection.
(c) In lieu of the requirements set forth in subsection (b) of this section, a person
may qualify for a license to practice perfusion in this state, provided such person: (1)
Is currently certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion; (2) has worked
as a perfusionist in a licensed health care facility in another state for a period of not less
than five years; and (3) has had no lapse in active practice as perfusionist greater than
twenty-four months at the time of filing a licensure application in Connecticut. The
commissioner may grant a license as a perfusionist to any applicant who meets the
requirements of this subsection.
(d) Nothing in this section shall be construed to apply to the activities and services
of a person who (1) has successfully completed a perfusion education program that meets
the criteria of subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section from gaining experience
in the practice of perfusion, provided such activities (A) are necessary to satisfy the
requirements of subdivision (2) of said subsection (b), (B) are performed under direct
supervision, and (C) such person is designated as an intern or trainee or other such title
indicating the training status appropriate to such person's level of training, or (2) is
enrolled in an accredited perfusion education program and performing such work as is
incidental to the course of study.
(e) The provisions of this section do not apply to any practicing physician or surgeon
licensed under chapter 370.
(f) No license shall be issued under this section to any applicant against whom
professional disciplinary action is pending or who is the subject of an unresolved complaint in this or any other state or territory.
(g) Licenses shall be renewed annually in accordance with the provisions of section
19a-88 for a fee of three hundred fifteen dollars.
(P.A. 05-280, S. 70; P.A. 08-184, S. 30; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-8, S. 25, 26.)
History: This section was originally published as Sec. 20-162s in the 2006 Supplement to the General Statutes; P.A.
08-184 amended Subsec. (b) by adding "Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section" and amended Subsec. (c) by
substituting new alternative licensure criteria and by replacing "shall" with "may" re commissioner's authority to grant
license to an applicant, effective June 12, 2008; Sept. Sp. Sess. P.A. 09-8 amended Subsec. (b) by increasing fee from
$250 to $315, effective October 5, 2009, and amended Subsec. (g) by increasing fee from $250 to $315, effective October
5, 2009, and applicable to the renewal of a license that expires on or after October 1, 2009.
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Sec. 20-162cc. Disciplinary action for improper professional conduct. The
Commissioner of Public Health may take any disciplinary action set forth in section
19a-17 against a perfusionist for any of the following reasons: (1) Failure to conform
to the accepted standards of the profession; (2) conviction of a felony; (3) fraud or deceit
in obtaining or seeking reinstatement of a license to practice perfusion; (4) fraud or
deceit in the practice of the profession; (5) negligent, incompetent or wrongful conduct
in professional activities; (6) physical, mental or emotional illness or disorder resulting
in an inability to conform to the accepted standards of the profession; (7) alcohol or
substance abuse; (8) wilful falsification of entries in any hospital, patient or other record
pertaining to the profession; or (9) violation of any provision of sections 20-162aa to 20-162cc, inclusive. The commissioner may order a license holder to submit to a reasonable
physical or mental examination if the physical or mental capacity of the license holder
to practice safely is the subject of an investigation. The commissioner may petition the
superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enforce such order or any action
taken pursuant to said section 19a-17. The commissioner shall give notice and an opportunity to be heard on any contemplated action under said section 19a-17.
(P.A. 05-280, S. 71.)
History: This section was originally published as Sec. 20-162t in the 2006 Supplement to the General Statutes.
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