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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA

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Pennsylvania Code



Subchapter B. SHORT-TERM PROCEDURE UNITS


Sec.


119.41.    Short-term procedure units.
119.42.    Facilities for reception and processing of short-stay surgery patients.
119.43.    Basic facilities for outpatient surgery.
119.44.    Location.
119.45.    Construction.

§ 119.41. Short-term procedure units.

 (a)  If a hospital maintains a short-term procedure unit for treating patients requiring surgery on an outpatient basis, the unit shall be established and administered according to procedures developed by the medical staff and adopted by the governing body. Provision shall be made for back-up services by other departments in the case of emergencies or complications.

 (b)  Procedures and policies shall specify:

   (1)  The types of emergency and elective operative procedures which may be performed in the short term procedure unit.

   (2)  Types of anesthesia which may be used.

   (3)  Requirements for preoperative evaluations which shall meet the same standards as apply to inpatient surgery.

   (4)  Requirements for a physician conference with patients on operative procedures and anesthetics, including reference to potential risks.

   (5)  Written preoperative instructions for patients covering:

     (i)   Applicable restrictions upon food and drink before surgery.

     (ii)   Any special preparations to be made by the patient.

     (iii)   The required proximity of the patient to hospital for a specific time following surgery if applicable.

     (iv)   An understanding that the patient may require admission to the hospital in the event of medical need.

     (v)   The requirement that, upon discharge of a patient, a medical deci- sion shall be made as to whether the patient must have a responsible person available to escort him to his home.

   (6)  Requirements for postoperative evaluations which shall meet the same standards as apply to inpatient surgery; any outpatient who has received anesthesia shall be examined by a qualified practitioner prior to discharge.

   (7)  What written instructions for follow-up care shall be given to the patient.

   (8)  What advice is to be given to all patients regarding contacting the appropriate physician for help in the event of postoperative complications.

Authority

   The provisions of this §  119.41 issued under 67 P. S. § §  6101—6104; and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1973 (71 P. S. §  755-2).

Source

   The provisions of this §  119.41 amended September 19, 1980, effective September 20, 1980, 10 Pa.B. 3761. Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (37856).

§ 119.42. Facilities for reception and processing of short-stay surgery patients.

 If short-stay surgery patients are received and processed in the short-term procedure unit, the following shall be provided:

   (1)  A receiving area designed and equipped for the preoperative preparation, holding, and observation of patients, including the administration of preoperative tests and medication.

   (2)  Adequate space for reception and registration, necessary filing of records, storage of equipment and supplies, dressing rooms, and lockers for storing patients’ belongings while care is being rendered.

   (3)  Examining rooms designed and equipped according to patients’ needs.

   (4)  Readily available patient conveyances such as wheelchairs and stretcher carts.

§ 119.43. Basic facilities for outpatient surgery.

 If outpatient surgery is performed in the short-term procedure unit, basic fa- cilities shall include all of the following:

   (1)  An appropriately equipped and staffed operating room and postoperative recovery area.

   (2)  Appropriate means of control against the hazards of infection, electrical or mechanical failure, fire or explosion.

   (3)  Facilities for sterilizing of equipment and supplies and for maintaining sterile technique.

   (4)  Appropriate equipment and instrumentation for anesthesia, emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation and other physiologic support.

   (5)  Readily available oxygen supply, with emergency tanks.

   (6)  Readily available suction equipment.

   (7)  An air-handling system which conforms to the standards in §  147.43 (relating to ventilation system).

§ 119.44. Location.

 The operating room should be so located that it does not directly connect with a corridor used for general through traffic. Entry and exit shall be controlled with respect to authorization of personnel, patients, and materials handling. The location of the short-term procedure operating room shall be convenient to hospital service departments and laboratories, or the surgical facility may have its own core clinical laboratory or radiology service.

§ 119.45. Construction.

 Construction of the short-term procedure operating room shall conform to the requirement of Chapter 153 (relating to construction standards) with regard to all of the followinig:

   (1)  Electrical circuitry.

   (2)  Conductive flooring.

   (3)  Wiring.

   (4)  Circuit breakers.

   (5)  Isolation transformers.

   (6)  Emergency lighting.

   (7)  Power installations.



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