[T-Rock]

Reporting in as a guest:

Today we had our 2nd welfare check by the Health Department. Still no test results. Apparently LabCorp in Burlington, NC is backed up severely, due to the massive number of tests being performed. Although we may have the common sinus crud (I think we do), we have noticed some weird things happening with our taste & smell.
Never thought I'd see this happen, but the following is from the NC Respiratory Care Board, just this morning through email:

Dear Licensee,

Since the National Emergency Declaration and Emergency Declaration by Governor Cooper, the NCRCB accelerated the Covid-19 response by taking the following actions:

The NCRCB established a Covid-19 Task Force Adhoc Committee to coordinate with the Department of Health and Human Services. The goal is to help patients stay in the home while ensuring they receive the supplies they need. However, there is concern family caregivers will need support, which is where RCPs come into the picture. We discussed with DHHS to suspend all prior authorizations for the Medicaid and Medicare patients receiving respiratory support at home. We discussed the possibility of increasing Medicaid supplies to match those received by Medicare, at least on an emergency basis. It is now to be determined by the NCDHHS Administration. Update: The request for prior authorizations was sent to CMS last week.

After the Covid-19 Task Force Adhoc Committee last week, the Board approved the following emergency rules that expire in 60 days on March 18, 2020, during an emergency meeting:

The Board waived the requirements for continuing education requirements.
The Board waived the requirements for random audits and proof of compliance with the Board’s requirements for continuing education. No audits for at least 60 days. Those under current auditing will not be assessed until their next renewal.
The Board waived the requirements for each applicant for renewal or initial licensure to provide a copy of current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS).
The Board waived the requirements for twelve hours of continuing education hours for all renewals and initial licensure.
The Board waived the $ 75.00 late renewal fee of any license, but you must maintain a license to work.
The Board waived the requirements for lapsed licensure that requires licenses lapsed in excess of 24 months to reapply for licensure. Those licensees who have lapsed for less than five years may renew without penalty, BLS, or CE requirements.
The Board waived the requirements for individuals on inactive status; There will be no requirement to convert his or her license to active status by submission of a renewal application and payment of any late fee. They may renew without penalty, BLS, or CE requirements.
These rule waivers were submitted on Friday, March 20, 2020, and approved by the NC Rules Commission Rules Codifier. Officially, these waivers take effect on March 30, 2020. Temporary rules were also submitted following the emergency rule submission to extend these waivers for the full duration of the National Emergency Declaration.

These changes allowed licensing time to be reduced to 2 days in some cases as opposed to 30-45 days for those individuals applying by reciprocity as long as they have a current license in another state and active NBRC credentials. All licensees and applicants for licensing must have and maintain active NBRC credentials.

The Board also passed a ruling and a position statement:

1) The Respiratory Care Assistant Declaratory Ruling allows senior students to work for up to 12 months or until licensed by the Board.

2) Pandemic Flu: Covid-19 Response Position Statement states in part:

“In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Board wishes to emphasize that all flu-related procedures fall within the scope to include surveillance and mitigation strategies, assessment, diagnostic testing, and vaccinations. As experts in mechanical ventilation and aerosolized medicine, the Board encourages licensees to use the AARC Practice Guidelines and guidance documents and Centers Disease Control Guidelines, specifically “Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings.”

Covid-19 resources and statements will be placed on the website as soon as possible under the Covid-19 Resources tab.

Once again, we know you are working hard to treat the sickest patients in the hospital, so you must remain healthy. Take all necessary precautions per your facility policies and the Center for Disease Control guidelines. We are developing our resource page so you can also look on our website in the next 24 hours for information pertaining to this issue. Please stay tuned for more information as we adapt to this evolving situation. Above all, stay healthy.

Best Regards,

Dr. William L. Croft, Ed.D, Ph.D., RRT, RCP

Executive Director

North Carolina Respiratory Care Board

125 Edinburgh South Drive, Suite 100

Cary, NC 27511

Phone: (919) 878-5595

Fax: (919) 878-5565

E-mail: bcroft@ncrcb.org