RULE

Department of Health

Bureau of Health Services Financing

Ambulatory Surgical Centers-Licensing Standards
(LAC 48:I.4541)

The Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing has amended LAC 48:I.4541 as authorized by R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2131-2141. This Rule is promulgated in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, R.S. 49:950 et seq. This Rule is hereby adopted on the day of promulgation.

Title 48

PUBLIC HEALTH-GENERAL

Part I. General Administration

Subpart 3. Licensing and Certification

Chapter 45. Ambulatory Surgical Center

Subchapter C. Admissions, Transfers and Discharges

ยง4541. Transfer Agreements and Patient Transfers

A. The ASC shall secure a written transfer agreement with at least one licensed hospital in the community. A transfer agreement shall serve as evidence of a procedure whereby patients can be transferred to a hospital should an emergency arise which would necessitate hospital admission.

1. - 2. Repealed.

B. The admitting physician of the ASC shall be responsible for effecting the safe and immediate transfer of patients from the ASC to a hospital when, in his/her medical opinion, hospital care is indicated.

C. The ASC is responsible for developing written policies and procedures for the immediate safe transfer of patients and coordination of admission into a licensed inpatient hospital when patients require emergency medical care beyond the capabilities of the ASC. The written policy shall include, but is not limited to:

1. identification of the ASC personnel who shall be responsible for the coordination of admission into an inpatient facility;

2. procedures for securing inpatient services;

3. procedures for the procurement of pertinent and necessary copies of the patient's medical record that will be sent with the transferring patient so that the information may be included in the patient's inpatient medical record;

4. identification of a minimum of one licensed inpatient hospital, via a current written transfer agreement; and

5. a requirement that the ASC will periodically provide the local inpatient hospital facility with written notice of its operations and patient population served.

D. - D.3. Repealed.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2131-2141.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Health, Bureau of Health Services Financing, LR 43:1742 (September 2017), amended LR 48:2106 (August 2022).

Dr. Courtney N. Phillips
Secretary

2208#062