AARC Issue Papers
AARC Issue Papers are board-approved statements and research reviews on professional topics such as productivity, safety, and best practices. An issue paper explores the complexities of a problem or topic and presents multiple perspectives, analyzes contributing factors, and outlines potential solutions without advocating for a specific stance.
Current Issue Papers
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Determining the Value-Efficiency of Respiratory Care
In preparation for future editions of the AARC Uniform Reporting Manual, this issue paper defines a new metric called “Value-Efficiency” and stresses the need for the respiratory care profession to capture and report both time and value standards that can be applied in justifying respiratory care resources. -
Enhancing the Educational Standards for Respiratory Therapists in Evidence-Based Medicine, Quality Improvement, and Research
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Improving Access to Respiratory Care
This white paper details the most pressing access barriers facing patients suffering from respiratory health conditions — and related policy solutions and is a collaboration of the Respiratory Therapy Access Working Group from the Institute for Patient Access. -
Entry to Respiratory Therapy Practice 2030
The purpose of this document is to demonstrate the need to advance the minimum education of a respiratory therapist from an associate degree to a baccalaureate degree and to advance the licensure of practitioners to the RRT credential for entry to practice. (Review the Executive Summary) -
RRT Credential
This issue paper stresses the importance on obtaining the advanced credential of the profession and provides information on the reasons an individual should obtain the RRT credential. -
Safe Initiation And Management Of Mechanical Ventilation
This issue paper aims to improve the safe initiation and management of mechanical ventilation. Published by the AARC and the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC).
Retired Issue Papers
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Guidelines for Acquisition of Ventilators to Meet Demands for Pandemic Flu and Mass Casualty Incidents
This issue paper gives recommendations about ventilator acquisitions and other issues that should be considered when planning for a pandemic flu or other mass casualty event. This paper has been retired. -
Respiratory Care: Advancement of the Profession Tripartite Statements of Support
The AARC, NBRC and CoARC have issued a statement on the advancement of the profession. This paper has been retired. -
Utilization in Respiratory Care
An issue paper describing utilization review in acute and post acute settings. This paper has been retired.
AARC Position Statements
The AARC publishes position statements to promote patient safety, quality care, access to respiratory therapy, and cost control. A position statement takes a clear, definitive stance on an issue, often supported by evidence and rationale, and offers practical steps based on that stance.
Current Position Statements
AARC Code of Conduct
AARC Position on Unattended Service (“Concurrent Therapy” “Stacking”)
AARC Statement of Ethics and Professional Conduct
Administration of Sedative and Analgesic Medications for Procedural Sedation by Respiratory Therapists
Best Practices in Respiratory Care Productivity and Staffing
Best Practices in Respiratory Care Productivity and Staffing: Value-Efficiency
Cardio-pulmonary Rehabilitation
Competency Requirements for the Provision of Respiratory Care Services
Continuing Education
Definition of Respiratory Care
Delivery of Care by Respiratory Therapists for Patients Receiving High Acuity Care in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Diversity and Inclusion
Entry Requirements to Respiratory Therapy Practice: 2030 and Thereafter
Electronic Cigarette
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Home Respiratory Care Services
Insertion and Maintenance of Arterial Lines by Respiratory Therapists
Insertion and Maintenance of Vascular Catheters by Respiratory Therapists
Interstate Transport License Exemption
Licensure of Respiratory Care Personnel
Paramedics in the Hospital Environment
Pre-Hospital Ventilator Management Competency
Respiratory Care Scope of Practice
Respiratory Therapist Education
Respiratory Therapists as Cardiopulmonary Disease Managers
Respiratory Therapists as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialists
Respiratory Therapists in the Emergency Setting
Respiratory Therapy Protocols
Telehealth and Respiratory Therapy
Tobacco Use Control and Inhaled Controlled Substances
Transport of the Mechanically Ventilated, Critically Injured or Ill, Neonate, Child or Adult Patient
Retired Position Statements
Age Appropriate Care of the Respiratory Patient
Clustering of Ancillary Services
Concurrent Therapy
Development of Baccalaureate and Graduate Education Degrees
Expanded Practice Education for Respiratory Therapist
Fraudulent Practices in Respiratory Care
Guidance Document on Scope of Practice
Hazardous Materials Exposure
Inhaled Medication Administration Schedules
Medical Direction for Respiratory Care Services Provided Outside of the Hospital
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Respiratory Therapy Education
Role Model Statement
The Role of the Respiratory Care Practitioner in the Provision of Respiratory Care Services in the Hospitals and Alternate Sites Scope of Practice
Statement of Principles
Verbal/Telephone Orders
AARC Guidance Documents
AARC guidance documents provide a comprehensive perspective on topics that shape the advancement of the profession and its future direction. A guidance document provides practical steps or recommendations and translates a chosen stance into actionable advice based on best practices or established policies.
Current Guidance Documents
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A Process Manual for Clinical Practice Guidelines Development
This AARC Guidance Document is presented to provide an overview of the process used in developing Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). -
Guidance Document Additional Ventilators May Pose a Risk to Hospital Gas Systems
The COVID-19 epidemic has placed hospitals in dire risk of having insufficient resources to treat the surge in patients. One critical resource is mechanical ventilation. As hospitals rush to increase ventilator inventory, they may be overlooking an important limiting resource; perhaps as important as ventilator circuits or even clinicians to operate the machines. That resource is the facilities medical gas supply. -
Guidance Document Regarding RRT Entry to Licensure
This guidance document is a resource for the state affiliates whom are considering or starting to pursue raising the licensure entry level to that of the RRT. -
Guidance Documents Best Practices in Respiratory Care Productivity and Staffing
This paper provides guidance and considerations in the application of the AARC Position Statement: Best Practices in Respiratory Care Productivity and Staffing. It was developed to address growing concerns that inappropriate measures were being applied to determine the number of RT staff needed at a given institution.
Retired Guidance Documents
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Guidance Document on Scope of Practice
This document provides guidance in regards to other professions or occupations whose scope of practice or common procedures may overlap with respiratory therapy.
