How is a violation treated for penalty purposes?

A violation in regulatory contexts, such as those governing respiratory care practitioners, is often treated as a continuous or ongoing offense. This means that if a violation occurs over a span of days, each instance is counted separately for penalty purposes. This approach emphasizes the importance of compliance and reinforces the idea that ongoing violations can lead to compounded penalties.

For example, if a practitioner fails to maintain the appropriate standards of care on consecutive days, each day that this failure continues can be subjected to penalties. This creates a strong incentive for practitioners to rectify any issues promptly, as they are held accountable not just for a singular event, but for the duration of the violation. Thus, this method of treating continued violations ensures stricter adherence to the regulatory standards set forth for the profession.