Standards, Guidelines, Policies, and Other Regulatory Documents
The CRTO Produces a variety of documents related to the practice of Respiratory Therapy.
The CRTO produces a variety of documents related to the practice of Respiratory Therapy. These may be very specific or provide general guidance on how a competent, ethical, principled RT should practice. Many of these documents can also assist people who are receiving Respiratory Therapy, or have an interest in the profession.
The organization of these documents is described in the Policy Framework, and the policy development cycle that outlines how the CRTO develops and updates these documents.
Note: the CRTO established its Policy Framework in spring 2021, and is currently in the process of refreshing and revising the existing documents to align them with the framework. It is expected that this process will be complete by the end of 2021.
Below are the documents related to the Policy Framework and the practice of Respiratory Therapy:
Legislation & Regulations
The College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario’s role and mandate is established in law by the Government of Ontario. There are 28 self-regulated health professions, including respiratory therapists, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and more. Every health regulatory college has its own legal framework for governing its profession and act in the public interest.
Learn more about the legislation that has an impact on Respiratory Therapy practice in Ontario and the regulations that must be followed by Respiratory Therapy professionals.
Legislation
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA) and the Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991 (RTA) determine how the Respiratory Therapy profession is regulated in Ontario.
The Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 is the legislation that governs the regulated health professional college’s in Ontario.
In addition to the RHPA, each of the regulated health professions is governed by profession specific legislation. For Respiratory Therapists this is the Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991 (RTA). The RTA contains a scope of practice statement, as well as provisions and regulations specific to the profession of Respiratory Therapy. It includes entry-to-practice, protected title regulations and prescribed substances to name a few.
Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 (RHPA)
Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991 (RTA)
Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA)
Regulations
Regulations that govern the Respiratory Therapy profession are made under both the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and the Respiratory Respiratory Therapy Act, 1991.
Ontario Regulation 39/02: Certificates of Authorization
Ontario Regulation 59/94: Funding for Therapy or Counselling for Patients Sexually Abused by Members
Ontario Regulation 107/96: Controlled Acts
Ontario Regulation 262/18: Prescribed Offences – Health Professions Procedural Code
Ontario Regulation 596/94: General – includes information relating to Advertising, Conflict of Interest, Notice of Meetings & Hearings, Prescribed Procedures (below the dermis), Prescribed Substances, Quality Assurance and Registration
Standards of Practice
The ‘Standards of Practice’ of a profession describe the requirements for professional practice. Members are professionally accountable to practice in accordance with these Standards. Standards of Practice assure the quality of the practice of the profession and provide a basis to evaluate if professional responsibilities have been maintained.
View the Full Standards of Practice Here
Code of Ethics
The CRTO’s Ethics document provides guidance to registrants for responsible conduct, and ethical/moral behaviour in professional practice. The CRTO’s Code of Ethics, A Commitment to Ethical Practice, provides guidance for ethical decisions and sets expectations for ethical and moral behaviour. This document is considered part of the policy framework, as it is an important element of professional practice.
View the Full Commitment to Ethical Practice Here
Practice Guidelines, Practice Policies, Position Statements, and Resources
Practice Guidelines
The Practice Guidelines provide Members of the CRTO with guidance and expectations, provide direction regarding adherence to Standards of Practice and their clinical practice expectations. Although Practice Guidelines are not legislation, they are used by the CRTO as a benchmark to help define appropriate professional practice.
Professional Practice Guidelines (PPGs)
- Abuse Awareness & Prevention PPG
- Certification Programs for Advanced Prescribed Procedures Below the Dermis PPG
- Community Respiratory Therapy Practice PPG
- Conflict of Interest PPG
- Delegation of Controlled Acts PPG
- Dispensing Medications PPG
- Documentation PPG
- Interpretation of Authorized Acts PPG
- Orders for Medical Care PPG
- Registration and Use of Title PPG
- Respiratory Therapists as Anesthesia Assistants PPG
- Respiratory Therapists Providing Education PPG
- Respiratory Therapists Providing Telepractice Services PPG
- Responsibilities Under Consent Legislation PPG
Clinical Best Practice Guidelines (CBPGs)
Practice Policies
Practice Policies set out expectations and responsibilities for the profession, beyond what is outlined in the Standards of Practice. Practice policies can be used as a benchmark against which the conduct of an individual is evaluated. Below are the CRTO Practice Policies. Also see Policies, Fact Sheets, and Resources for additional information.
- Practice Policies Here
Position Statements
Position statements clarify the CRTO’s interpretation and stance on an emerging issue, trend, or topic. Professional standards and expectations vary based on societal and practice changes, thus creating ambiguity around practice expectations. Position Statements allow the CRTO to clarify its stance, in an environment where this may not be straightforward. These time-sensitive documents allow the CRTO to be nimble and responsive, so that the profession has the direction it needs to move forward.
Professional Practice Direction
Professional Practice Directions provide information to members regarding their professional practice.
- Scope of Practice & Maintenance of Competency
- Diagnostic Ultrasound
- Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID)
- Bill 87 – Protecting Patients Act
- Assistive Devices Program (ADP) Home Oxygen Application
- Collaborative Care Principles and Best Practices
- Working with Non-Regulated Health Care Providers
Policies, Fact Sheets, and By-laws
Policies
Policies outline the CRTO’s direction or interpretation of legislation and regulations; OR provides position or direction in areas that are not outlined in existing regulatory documents. Policies set the direction for the CRTO to outline its interpretation of legislation and regulations when the interpretation is not clear. Policies are also required to provide clear direction on WHAT needs to be done in situations where no other direction exists. Also see the Practice Policies, Fact Sheets and Resources for additional information.
Complaints and Discipline Policies
Registration Policies
Quality Assurance Policies
Fact Sheets
By-laws
By-laws are rules adopted by the CRTO for the government of its Members and the regulation of its affairs. The Health Professions Procedural Code of the RHPA provides the CRTO Council with authority to make by-laws relating to the administrative and internal affairs of the CRTO.
View the CRTO By-laws Here