Table 4. Treatment items determined as ‘essential’ (consensus >70%).

	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3
As a minimum standard a physiotherapist can provide the following techniques, including an understanding of indications, contraindications, evidence for the technique and progressions:
Oxygen therapy including initiation and titration of oxygen therapy	92.3
Humidification	88.5
Active cycle of breathing technique	96.2
Manual airway clearance techniques – percussion, vibration, chest shaking	100
Intermittent positive pressure breathing	96.2
Mechanical insufflation-exsufflation	84.6
Supported coughing	92.3
Directed coughing/instructing the patient to cough effectively	96.2
Assisted coughing – chest wall	96.2
Cough stimulation – oropharyngeal catheter stimulation	96.2
Manual hyperinflation via an endotracheal tube or tracheostomy	92.3
Nasopharyngeal airway suctioning, including insertion of NP airway	96.2
Oropharyngeal airway suctioning, including insertion of OP airway	88.5
Suction via a tracheal tube (ETT, tracheostomy, mini-tracheostomy)	100
Instillation of normal saline into the endotracheal tube	88.5
Patient positioning for respiratory care – including use of side lie, sitting upright, postural drainage (modified or head down tilt)	100
Patient positioning for prevention of pressure ulcers, management of tone, maintenance of musculoskeletal function	100
Mobilisation of non-ventilated patient	100
Mobilisation of ventilated patient	96.2
Bed exercises	96.2
Nasal high flow	88.5
Feldenkreis	61.5†	68	87.5
As a minimum standard a physiotherapist can appropriately request/coordinate the following:
Titration of analgesia to achieve physiotherapy goals	53.8*	68	82.6
As a minimum standard a physiotherapist understands the key principles of providing the following differing modes of mechanical/assisted ventilation including:
Assist-control	100
Airway pressure release ventilation	96.2
Weaning protocols	100
As a minimum standard a physiotherapist can:
Interpret respiratory function tests (e.g. for measurements of FEV1, FVC, PEF)	100
As a minimum standard a physiotherapist can interpret indices from blood gas measurement including:
Lactate	96.2
As a minimum standard a physiotherapist has knowledge of methods for advanced haemodynamic monitoring, can interpret the measurements and understands the implication of these for physiotherapists:
Implanted or external pacemakers and determine presence of pacing on ECG	92.3
A physiotherapist can complete musculoskeletal and/or functional assessments including:
Ability to assess tone (e.g. utilising a modified Ashworth scale) and reflexes FEV1; FVC; PEF	96.2
As a minimum standard a physiotherapist can provide the following techniques, including an understanding of indications, contraindications, evidence for the technique and progressions:
Glottal stacking (frog breathing)	46.2*	100
Other breathing techniques	100
Autogenic drainage	88.5
NIV/BiPAP - for use during exercise or mobilisation including initiation and titration	60*	84
Cough stimulation - tracheal rub	96.2
Recruitment maneuvers, e.g. staircase	92.3
Bronchial lavage	80.8
Assisting bronchoscopy via delivery of secretion	88.5
Mobilisation techniques during the procedure	96.2
Patient prone positioning in severe respiratory	84.6
Failure/acute lung injury	96.2
Inspiratory muscle training	100
Splinting and/or casting for the upper limbs and lower limbs	100
Collars	92.3
Braces	96.2
Treadmill, cycle ergometry or stationary bike, additional rehabilitation techniques (e.g. hydrotherapy, Wii)	96.2
As a minimum standard a physiotherapist can:
Non-invasive ventilation	69.3*	92

FEV1 = forced expiratory volume in one second

FVC = forced vital capacity

PEF = peak expiratory flow

*Consensus not reached (>70%) after considering the scored of ‘unsure’

^†Consensus not reached (>70%)