10A NCAC 13C .0103. DEFINITIONS

As used in this Subchapter, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the following terms have the meanings specified:

(1)           "Adequate" means, when applied to various areas of services, that the services are at least satisfactory in meeting a referred to need when measured against contemporary professional standards of practice.

(2)           "AAAASF" means American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities.

(3)           "AAAHC" means Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

(4)           "Ancillary nursing personnel" means persons employed to assist registered nurses or licensed practical nurses in the care of patients.

(5)           "Anesthesiologist" means a physician whose specialized training and experience qualify him or her to administer anesthetic agents and to monitor the patient under the influence of these agents.  For the purpose of these Rules the term "anesthesiologist" shall not include podiatrists.

(6)           "Anesthetist" means a physician or dentist qualified, as defined in Item (22) of this Rule, to administer anesthetic agents or a registered nurse qualified, as defined in Item (22) of this Rule, to administer anesthesia.

(7)           "Authority Having Jurisdiction" means the Division of Health Service Regulation.

(8)           "Chief executive officer" or "administrator" means a qualified person appointed by the governing authority to act in its behalf in the overall management of the facility and whose office is located in the facility.

(9)           "Dentist" means a person who holds a valid license issued by the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners to practice dentistry.

(10)         "Department" means the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

(11)         "Director of nursing" means a registered nurse who is responsible to the chief executive officer and has the authority and direct responsibility for all nursing services and nursing care for the entire facility at all times.

(12)         "Governing authority" means the individual, agency or group or corporation appointed, elected or otherwise designated, in which the ultimate responsibility and authority for the conduct of the ambulatory surgical facility is vested.

(13)         "JCAHO" means Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

(14)         "Licensing agency" means the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation.

(15)         "Licensed practical nurse" (L.P.N.) means any person licensed as such under the provisions of G.S. 90-171.

(16)         "Nursing personnel" means registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and ancillary nursing personnel.

(17)         "Operating room" means a room in which surgical procedures are performed.

(18)         "Patient" means a person admitted to and receiving care in a facility.

(19)         "Person" means an individual, a trust or estate, a partnership or corporation, including associations, joint stock companies and insurance companies; the state, or a political subdivision or instrumentality of the state.

(20)         "Pharmacist" means a person who holds a valid license issued by the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy to practice pharmacy in accordance with G.S. 90-85.

(21)         "Physician" means a person who holds a valid license issued by the North Carolina Medical Board to practice medicine.  For the purpose of carrying out these Rules, a "physician" may also mean a person holding a valid license issued by the North Carolina Board of Podiatry Examiners to practice podiatry.

(22)         "Qualified person" when used in connection with an occupation or position means a person:

(a)           who has demonstrated through relevant experience the ability to perform the required functions; or

(b)           who has certification, registration or other professional recognition.

(23)         "Recovery area" means a room used for the post anesthesia recovery of surgical patients.

(24)         "Registered nurse" means a person who holds a valid license issued by the North Carolina Board of Nursing to practice nursing as defined in G.S. 90-171.

(25)         "Surgical suite" means an area which includes one or more operating rooms and one or more recovery rooms.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 131E‑149;

Eff. October 14, 1978;

Amended Eff. April 1, 2003; November 1, 1989.