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-.01 - Definitions

(a) "Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Centers" means any institution, building, or facility, or part thereof, devoted primarily to the provision of surgical treatment to patients not requiring hospitalization, as provided under provisions of O.C.G.A. § 31-7-1(4)(c). Such facilities do not admit patients for treatment which normally requires overnight stay, nor provide accommodations for treatment of patients for period of twenty-four (24) hours or longer;

(b) "Governing Body" and/or "Management" means the Board of Directors and/or Trustees, the partnership, the corporation, the association, or the person or group of persons who maintain and control the operation of the ambulatory surgical treatment center and who are legally responsible for its operation;

(c) "Center" means an ambulatory surgical treatment center as defined in these rules and regulations;

(d) "Board," unless otherwise indicated, shall mean the Georgia Board of Community Health;

(e) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health or his designee;

(f) "Department" means the Georgia Department of Community Health;

(g) "General Anesthesia" means any drug, element or other material administered to eliminate all sensation and which, when administered, is accompanied by a state of unconsciousness;

(h) "Licensee" means the person or body to whom the license or permit is issued and who is held responsible for compliance with all required rules, regulations, and minimum standards;

(i) "Permit" or "license" means an authorization granted by the Department to an applicant to operate an ambulatory surgical treatment center providing one or more types or classifications of services;

(j) "Provisional Permit" means an authorization granted by the Department to an applicant to operate an ambulatory surgical treatment center on a conditional basis to allow a newly established center a reasonable but limited period of time to demonstrate that operational procedures are in satisfactory compliance with these rules and regulations, or to allow an established and operating center a specified length of time to comply with these rules and regulations, provided said center shall first present a plan of improvement which is acceptable to the Department;

(k) "Plan of Improvement" means a written plan submitted to the Department by the person or persons responsible for the center, and acceptable to the Department. The plan shall identify the existing areas of noncompliance of the facility, together with the proposed procedures, methods and period of time to correct the areas of noncompliance;

(l) "Professional Staff" means the group of persons or body appointed by the Governing Body to provide patient services, and who require special licensure or registration. Normally, the professional staff will be restricted to currently licensed medical, dental, and podiatrist practitioners. Other personnel, for example, registered nurses, may be appointed to the professional staff to assist the practitioners in the development, interpretation, and enforcement of patient care policies;

(m) "Practitioner" means a physician, dentist, or podiatrist;

(n) "Physician" means an individual who is currently licensed to practice medicine, surgery or osteopathy in the State of Georgia, under the Georgia Medical Practice Act, O.C.G.A. § 43-34-20et seq.;

(o) "Dentist" means any person who is currently licensed to practice dentistry in the State of Georgia, under provisions of the Georgia Dentist and Dental Hygienists Act, O.C.G.A. § 43-11-1et seq.;

(p) "Podiatrist" (Chiropodist) means any person who is currently licensed to practice podiatry (chiropody) in the State of Georgia, under provisions of the Georgia Podiatry Act, O.C.G.A. § 43-35-1et seq.;

(q) "Registered Nurse," "Registered Professional Nurse," or "R.N." means a person who is currently licensed to practice as a licensed registered nurse under provisions of O.C.G.A. § 43-26-1et seq.;

(r) "Licensed Practical Nurse" or "L.P.N." means a person currently licensed to practice as a licensed practical nurse under provisions of O.C.G.A.§ 43-26-30et seq.;

(s) "Private Office(s)," "Office(s)," and/or "Treatment Rooms" means any area or place established and maintained by a currently licensed individual practitioner, professional association, or group practice of such practitioners, in his/her/their private individual or private group practice, in which he/she/they primarily see(s), consult(s) with, examine(s), and/or treats private patients on a regular and on-going basis, and in the operation of which such currently licensed practitioners have full control of all financial, administrative, and professional arrangements with said patients;

(t) "Hospital" means any facility which meets the requirements of and is currently licensed as a hospital under Georgia Laws and rules and regulations pertaining thereto;

(u) "Procedure Room" means any room or area of the ambulatory surgical treatment center in which surgical procedures are performed;

(v) "Patient" means any individual who receives medical/surgical treatment in facilities governed by these regulations;

(w) "Qualified Counselor" means a person who assists the professional staff by talking with and informing patients regarding expectations and probable outcomes associated with services in an ambulatory surgical treatment center, and who possesses the following minimum qualifications: at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in nursing, psychology or social work, or in some related field, or who has special training in counseling which is deemed acceptable by the Department; provided, however, that any such counselor shall function only under the direct supervision of the responsible practitioner.