Section 551.1. Legal base

(a) This subpart is promulgated by the Department under Chapter 8 of the act (35 P. S. § § 448.801—448.820), and section 2102(a) and (g) of The Administrative Code of 1929 (71 P. S. § 532(a) and (g)).

(b) The Department has the duty to promulgate regulations necessary to implement Chapter 8 of the act and to assure that its regulations and the act are enforced.

(c) The purpose of this subpart is to protect and promote the public health and welfare through the establishment and enforcement of regulations setting minimum standards in the construction, maintenance and operation of ASFs. The standards are intended to assure safe, adequate and efficient facilities and services, and to promote the health, safety and adequate care of the patients of the facilities. It is also the purpose of this subpart to assure quality health care through appropriate and nonduplicative review and inspection, with regard to the protection of the health and rights of privacy of the patients and without unreasonably interfering with the operation of the ambulatory surgical facility.

The provisions of this § 551.1 amended October 22, 1999, effective November 22, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 5583. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (251633) to (251634).