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College of Respiratory
Therapists of Ontario

 

RESPIRATORY THERAPISTS
PROVIDING VIRTUAL CARE

Professional Practice Guideline

 

 

May 2023

DEFINITION

Virtual Care refers to the use of communications technology (e.g., videoconference, telephone, or email) to provide healthcare services (e.g., patient education) at a distance where the healthcare professional and the patient/client are not in the same physical location. It may also involve situations where the healthcare service is not being given by the healthcare professional and received by the patient/client at the same time (i.e., not in real-time). As a result, this constitutes a therapeutic RT-patient relationship, and all applicable legislation applies.

RETURN TO THE CRTO WEBSITE

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

    This Professional Practice Guideline will be updated as new evidence emerges or as practice evolves. Comments on this guideline are welcome and should be addressed to:
    College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario, 90 Adelaide Street West, Suite 300, Toronto, Ontario M5H 3V9
    Phone 416-591-7800 | Toll Free 1-800-261-0528 | Fax 416-591-7890 | E-mail questions@crto.on.ca

    MEMBERS

    CRTO Members

    CRTO Members who are engaged in virtual care, regardless of where the patient/client is physically located when the service is provided, are responsible for:

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    adhering to all Ontario legislative and regulatory requirements that applies to all CRTO Members (e.g., standards of practice, scope of practice, controlled acts authorized to RTs, ethical guidelines, etc.);
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    adhering to any specific terms, conditions, and limitations on their CRTO certificates of registration;

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    determining whether providing their services via virtual technology is appropriate for the particular patient/client;

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    obtaining informed consent from the patient/client, both for service provided and for the use of virtual care as a means of service provision;

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    protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the patient’s/client’s personal health information by taking reasonable steps to confirm the information and communication technology and physical setting being used themselves and by the patient/client permits the sharing of the patient’s personal health information in a private and secure manner (for more information, the RT may contact the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario;

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    ensuring there is a plan in place for medical emergencies, and;

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    document all interactions in accordance with the CRTO’s Documentation standards and guidelines.

    Please Note:

    All CRTO Members are required to maintain Professional Liability Insurance (PLI) coverage in accordance with the CRTO Professional Liability policy. When engaged in virtual care, CRTO Members are responsible for ensuring that their own PLI policies offer adequate coverage for that type of service delivery.

    In addition, when the virtual care practice involves a patient/client who is a resident of another jurisdiction, the CRTO Member is also responsible for:

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    determining whether the jurisdiction permits its residents to receive virtual care services from healthcare providers who are not registered in that jurisdiction and, if they do, whether there are any restrictions placed upon their practice; and,

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    ensuring that the patient/client is aware that their service is being pro- vided by a healthcare professional who is registered in another jurisdiction, and that if they have any complaint regarding the service, the patient/client should direct their concern to the CRTO.

    Non-Members

    RTs from other jurisdictions that provide virtual care services to Ontario residents are expected to adhere to the legislative and regulatory requirements that govern RT practice in Ontario.