Section 138.2. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Board certified—A physician licensed to practice medicine in this Commonwealth who has successfully passed an examination and has maintained certification in the relevant medical specialty or subspecialty area, or both, recognized by one of the following groups:

(i) The American Board of Medical Specialties.

(ii) The American Osteopathic Association.

(iii) The foreign equivalent of either group listed in subparagraph (i) or (ii).

Cardiac catheterization—A procedure used to diagnose and treat various cardiac and circulatory diseases that involves inserting a thin, pliable catheter, which is viewable by X-ray, into a major blood vessel of the arm or leg, and manipulating the tip of the catheter through veins or arteries to the heart.

Cardiac catheterization area—That portion of the hospital dedicated to the performance of cardiac catheterizations, including the cardiac catheterization laboratory where the invasive procedures are performed by the physician, and preoperative and postoperative recovery units used for treatment of the cardiac catheterization patient.

Electrophysiology study (EPS)—diagnostic—The use of blood vessel access to position electrode catheters in various intra cardiac locations with the help of fluoroscopy for the purpose of recording the timing of electrical events to assess the location and direction of impulse propagation. The term includes procedures designed to induce ventricular or supraventricular tachycardia and activation sequence mapping of cardiac tachyarrhythmias.

Electrophysiology study (EPS)—therapeutic—EPS used as or in combination with a therapeutic procedure, which includes electrode catheter ablative procedures and implantation of antitachyarrhythmia devices and implantable cardiovertor defibrillators.

High-risk cardiac catheterization—Cardiac catheterization which presents a high risk of significant cardiac complication. The term includes diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedures that present a high risk of significant cardiac complication, PTCA, pediatric cardiac catheterization and therapeutic electrophysiology except for the implantation of routine permanent pacemakers.

Low-risk cardiac catheterization—Cardiac catheterization which is not high-risk cardiac catheterization.

Onsite—In the physical structure at which cardiac catheterization services are being offered or in an adjoining structure.

PTCA—Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty—A procedure which uses a balloon catheter, plaque removing device, laser device or mechanical stent to re-open collapsed, blocked or partially blocked arteries.

Pediatric cardiac catheterization—The performance of cardiac catheterization on a person who is under 18 years of age except for those patients whose physical development, in the judgment of the patient’s physician, allows the patient to receive treatment safely and appropriately in hospitals that do not have pediatric cardiac catheterization programs.

Preboard certification status—A physician licensed to practice medicine in this Commonwealth who has completed the requirements necessary to take a certification examination offered by a medical specialty board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Osteopathic Association, or the foreign equivalent of either group, and who has been eligible to take the examination for no longer than 3 years.

Twenty-four hours per day—Refers to the availability or onsite presence of specific personnel, support services or equipment on a 24-hour-per-day, 7-days-a-week basis.