Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-03-178.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 246-919-601 Safe and effective analgesia and anesthesia administration in office-based surgical settings.

     Hearing Location(s): Holiday Inn, One South Grady Way, Renton, WA, on January 14, 2010, at 6:30 p.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: January 14, 2010.

     Submit Written Comments to: Beverly A. Teeter, Deputy Executive Director, Medical Quality Assurance Commission, P.O. Box 47866, Olympia, WA 98504, web site http://www3.doh.wa.gov/policyreview/, fax (360) 236-2795, by December 31, 2009.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Beverly A. Teeter, deputy executive director, by December 31, 2009, TTY (800) 833-6388 or 711.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of the proposed rule is to establish consistent standards for physicians who administer sedation in an office-based setting. The proposed rule will require physicians who perform office-based surgery using major conduction anesthesia, moderate sedation or deep sedation or analgesia to obtain certification or accreditation for the office, be competent and qualified, return patients who enter a deeper level of sedation than intented [intended] to a lighter level of sedation as quickly as possible, separate surgical and monitoring procedures, create written emergency protocols, ensure that one provider is currently certified in advanced resuscitative techniques, and maintain legible, complete and accurate medical records.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: The commission is proposing this rule because currently there is no direct regulation for office-based surgery settings. RCW 18.71.017(2) authorizes the commission to adopt rules governing the administration of sedation and anesthesia in the office of physicians, including necessary training and equipment. Rules are needed to establish enforceable standards to reduce the risk of substandard care, inappropriate anesthesia, and serious complications by physicians when performing office-based surgery.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.71.017 and 18.130.050.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.71.017(2).

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of health, medical quality assurance commission, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Beverly A. Teeter, 243 Israel Road S.E., Mailstop 47866, Tumwater, WA 98501, (360) 236-2758.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The proposed rule would not impose more than minor costs on businesses in an industry. A copy of the statement may be obtained by contacting Beverly Teeter, 243 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, phone (360) 236-2758, fax (360) 236-2795, e-mail beverly.teeter@doh.wa.gov.

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Beverly Teeter, 243 Israel Road S.E., Tumwater, WA 98501, phone (360) 236-2758, fax (360) 236-2795, e-mail beverly.teeter@doh.wa.gov. The agency did not complete a cost-benefit analysis under RCW 34.05.328. RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(iii) exempts rules that adopt or incorporate by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, the rules of other Washington state agencies, or national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards.

December 1, 2009

Maryella E. Jansen

Executive Director

OTS-2478.4

OFFICE-BASED SURGERY RULESMedical Quality Assurance Commission
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-919-601   Safe and effective analgesia and anesthesia administration in office-based surgical settings.   (1) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to promote and establish consistent standards, continuing competency, and to promote patient safety. The medical quality assurance commission establishes the following rule for those physicians licensed under this chapter who perform surgical procedures and use anesthesia, analgesia or sedation in office-based settings.

     (2) Definitions. The following terms used in this subsection apply throughout this rule unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

     (a) "Commission" means the medical quality assurance commission.

     (b) "Deep sedation" or "analgesia" means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.

     (c) "General anesthesia" means a state of unconsciousness intentionally produced by anesthetic agents, with absence of pain sensation over the entire body, in which the patient is without protective reflexes and is unable to maintain an airway. Sedation that unintentionally progresses to the point at which the patient is without protective reflexes and is unable to maintain an airway is not considered general anesthesia.

     (d) "Local infiltration" means the process of infusing a local anesthetic agent into the skin and other tissues to allow painless wound irrigation, exploration and repair, foreign puncture, and other procedures.

     (e) "Major conduction anesthesia" means the administration of a drug or combination of drugs to interrupt nerve impulses without loss of consciousness, such as epidural, caudal, or spinal anesthesia, lumbar or brachial plexus blocks, and intravenous regional anesthesia. Major conduction anesthesia does not include isolated blockade of small peripheral nerves, such as digital nerves.

     (f) "Minimal sedation" means a drug-induced state during which patients respond normally to verbal commands. Although cognitive function and coordination may be impaired, ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are unaffected. Minimal sedation is limited to unsupplemented oral and intramuscular medications.

     (g) "Moderate sedation" or "analgesia" means a drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent airway, and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained.

     (h) "Office-based surgery" means any surgery or invasive medical procedure requiring analgesia or sedation, including, but not limited to, local infiltration for tumescent liposuction, performed in a location other than a licensed hospital, a hospital-associated surgical center, or an ambulatory surgical facility.

     (i) "Physician" means an individual licensed under chapter 18.71 RCW.

     (3) Exemptions. This rule does not apply to physicians when:

     (a) Performing surgery and medical procedures that require only minimal sedation (anxiolysis), or infiltration of local anesthetic around peripheral nerves.

     (b) Performing surgery in a licensed hospital, a hospital-associated surgical center, or an ambulatory surgical facility.

     (c) Performing surgery utilizing general anesthesia. General anesthesia cannot be a planned event in an office-based surgery setting. Facilities where physicians do procedures involving general anesthesia are regulated by rules related to licensed hospitals, hospital-associated surgical centers, and ambulatory surgical facilities.

     (d) Performing oral and maxillofacial surgery, and the physician:

     (i) Is licensed both as a physician under chapter 18.71 RCW and as a dentist under chapter 18.32 RCW;

     (ii) Complies with dental quality assurance commission regulations;

     (iii) Holds a valid:

     (A) Moderate sedation permit; or

     (B) Moderate sedation with parenteral agents permit; or

     (C) General anesthesia and deep sedation permit; and

     (iv) Practices within the scope of their specialty.

     (4) Application of rule.

     This rule applies to physicians practicing independently or in a group setting who perform office-based surgery employing one or more of the following levels of sedation or anesthesia:

     (a) Moderate sedation or analgesia; or

     (b) Deep sedation or analgesia; or

     (c) Major conduction anesthesia.

     (5) Accreditation or certification. Within one hundred eighty calendar days of the effective date of this rule, a physician who performs a procedure under this rule must ensure that the procedure is performed in a facility that is appropriately equipped and maintained to ensure patient safety through accreditation or certification and in good standing from one of the following:

     (a) The Joint Commission;

     (b) The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care;

     (c) The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities; or

     (d) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

     (6) Competency. A physician performing office-based surgery using a form of sedation or anesthesia as defined in subsection (4) of this section must be competent and qualified to perform the operative procedure and to provide sedation and analgesia.

     (7) Qualifications for administration of sedation and analgesia may include:

     (a) Completion of a continuing medical education course in conscious sedation;

     (b) Relevant training in a residency training program; or

     (c) Having privileges for conscious sedation granted by a hospital medical staff.

     (8) At least one physician currently certified in advanced resuscitative techniques appropriate for the patient age group (e.g., ACLS, PALS or APLS) must be present or immediately available with age-size-appropriate resuscitative equipment throughout the procedure and until the patient has met the criteria for discharge from the facility.

     (9) Sedation assessment and management.

     (a) Sedation is a continuum. Depending on the patient's response to drugs, the drugs administered, and the dose and timing of drug administration, it is possible that a deeper level of sedation will be produced than initially intended.

     (b) Physicians intending to produce a given level of sedation should be able to "rescue" patients who enter a deeper level of sedation than intended.

     (c) If a patient enters into a deeper level of sedation than planned, the physician must return the patient to the lighter level of sedation as quickly as possible, while closely monitoring the patient to ensure the airway is patent, the patient is breathing, and that oxygenation, the heart rate and blood pressure are within acceptable values.

     (10) Separation of surgical and monitoring functions.

     (a) The physician performing the surgical procedure must not provide the anesthesia or monitoring.

     (b) The licensed health care practitioner, designated by the physician to perform the anesthesia or monitor the patient, must not perform or assist in the surgical procedure.

     (11) Emergency care and transfer protocols. A physician performing office-based surgery must ensure that in the event of a complication or emergency:

     (a) All office personnel are familiar with a written and documented plan to timely and safely transfer patients to an appropriate hospital.

     (b) The plan must include arrangements for emergency medical services and appropriate escort of the patient to the hospital.

     (12) Medical record. The physician performing office-based surgery must maintain a legible, complete, comprehensive and accurate medical record for each patient.

     (a) The medical record must include:

     (i) Identity of the patient;

     (ii) History and physical, diagnosis and plan;

     (iii) Appropriate lab, X ray or other diagnostic reports;

     (iv) Appropriate preanesthesia evaluation;

     (v) Narrative description of procedure;

     (vi) Pathology reports;

     (vii) Document which, if any, tissues and other specimens have been submitted for histopathologic diagnosis;

     (viii) Provision for continuity of postoperative care; and     (ix) Documentation of the outcome and the follow-up plan.

     (b) When moderate or deep sedation, or major conduction anesthesia is used, the patient medical record must include a separate anesthesia record that documents:

     (i) The type of sedation or anesthesia used;

     (ii) Drugs (name and dose) and time of administration;

     (iii) Documentation at regular intervals of information obtained from the intraoperative and postoperative monitoring;

     (iv) Fluids administered during the procedure;

     (v) Patient weight;

     (vi) Level of consciousness;

     (vii) Estimated blood loss;

     (viii) Duration of procedure; and

     (ix) Any complication or unusual events related to the procedure or sedation/anesthesia.

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