Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 111 - RULES OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH › Chapter 111-8 - HEALTHCARE FACILITY REGULATION › Subject 111-8-4 - AMBULATORY SURGICAL TREATMENT CENTERS › Rule 111-8-4-.09 - Professional Services

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1) All services provided by or in the center
				shall be provided by persons who are currently licensed to perform the services
				they render when such services require licensure or registration under the laws
				of the State of Georgia. There shall be a sufficient number of qualified staff
				members to adequately provide for patient needs based on services provided and
				the number of patients served.
(2)
				Each center shall have a professional director who shall be a practitioner
				currently licensed in Georgia, and who shall be responsible for the direction
				and coordination of all medical aspects of the center program.
(3) General anesthesia shall be administered
				by an anesthesiologist, a physician anesthetist, an oral surgeon, or a
				certified R.N. anesthetist under the direction and responsibility of a
				currently licensed physician with training and experience in anesthesia, as
				specified in Georgia Code 84-10A. After administration of a general anesthetic,
				patients shall be constantly attended (at bedside) by a person qualified as
				above or by an R.N. until reactive and able to summon aid.
(4) All nursing services shall be under the
				supervision of a registered nurse (R.N.). Each center shall have a sufficient
				number of currently licensed nurses present and on duty to attend to patients
				at all times patients are receiving treatment or recovering from treatment up
				to and including the time of discharge. Additional staff shall be on duty and
				available to assist the professional staff to adequately handle routine and
				emergency patient needs.
(5) Each
				center shall establish written procedures for emergency services which will
				insure that a professional staff member who has been trained in emergency
				resuscitation procedures shall be on duty at all times when there is a patient
				receiving treatment or recovering from treatment, up to and including the time
				of discharge.
(6) The written
				procedures shall provide that an appropriate practitioner be designated on call
				and available to provide timely response to emergencies which may occur with
				any patient in the center.
(7) Each
				center shall have a hospital affiliation agreement and/or the medical staff
				must have admitting privileges or other acceptable documented arrangements to
				insure the necessary backup for medical complications. The center must have the
				capability to transfer a patient immediately to a hospital with adequate
				emergency room services.
(8) Each
				center will have effective policies and procedures for handling infection
				control and for recording complications which occur during or after surgery,
				which includes a reporting mechanism for patients who develop infections or
				postoperative complications after discharge.
(9) Either prior to, or at the time of
				admission, each patient who is admitted to the center without an appointment
				with a specified practitioner shall be provided (in writing) with the name,
				address and phone number of the practitioner who is serving him/her. The
				practitioner or a qualified counselor designated by the practitioner, shall
				explain the surgical and medical procedures, its potential complications, and
				postoperative complications and other alternatives to surgery; this shall be
				confirmed by the patient who shall sign an informed consent form as provided
				under O.C.G.A. §
									31-9-1
et seq.
Prior to dismissal, each patient shall be provided with both verbal and written
				instructions for posttreatment care and procedures for obtaining emergency
				care, if needed during the period of recuperation.
(10) All ancillary supportive health or
				medical services such as radiological services, pharmaceutical services, or
				clinical laboratory services provided in or by the center shall be in
				accordance with applicable rules and regulations of the State of
				Georgia.
(11) Each center shall
				establish policies for patient care and procedures for maintaining these
				policies.
O.C.G.A. §§
										31-2-4
et seq.
and
				  31-7-1
et seq.