§ 555.23. Operative care.
(a) Approved surgical procedures shall be performed only by a qualified physician, dentist or podiatrist within the limits of the practitioner’s defined specific practice privileges. Physician assistants and certified registered nurse practitioners may be permitted to assist in the performance of surgical procedures in accordance with their legally authorized scope of practice and the policies and procedures of the ASF.
(b) Tissues and exudates removed during a surgical procedure shall be properly labeled and sent to a laboratory for examination by a pathologist. The specimen shall be accompanied by pertinent clinical information, including its source and the preoperative and postoperative surgical diagnosis. The pathologist’s signed report of the examination shall be made a part of the patient’s medical record. Certain tissues and exudates may be exempt from laboratory examination. The exemptions shall be those that are consistent with current medical practices and are in writing and approved by the governing body.
(c) An ASF shall be prepared to initiate immediate onsite resuscitation or other appropriate response to an emergency which may be associated with procedures performed there.
(d) The ASF shall have an effective procedure for the immediate transfer to a hospital of patients requiring emergency medical care beyond the capabilities of the ASF.
(e) The ASF shall have a written transfer agreement with a hospital which has emergency and surgical services available, or physicians performing surgery in the ASF shall have admitting privileges at a hospital in close proximity to the ASF, to which patients may be transferred.
(f) There shall be a written agreement in effect with an ambulance service staffed by certified EMT personnel, for the safe transfer of a patient to a hospital in an emergency situation, or as the need arises.
Source The provisions of this § 555.23 amended October 22, 1999, effective November 22, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 5583. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (256564) to (256565).
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