Section 551.22. Criteria for performance of ambulatory surgery on pediatric patients

In addition to the criteria in § 551.21 (relating to criteria for ambulatory surgery), the following criteria apply to the performance of ambulatory surgery on children under 18 years of age:

(1) A child under 6 months of age may not be treated in an ASF.

(2) The medical record shall include documentation that the child’s primary care provider was notified by the surgeon in advance of the performance of a procedure in an ASF and that an opinion was sought from the primary care provider regarding the appropriateness of the use of the facility for the proposed procedure. When an opinion from the child’s primary care provider is not obtainable, the medical record shall include documentation which explains why an opinion could not be obtained.

(3) Surgical procedures on persons older than 6 months and younger than 18 years of age shall be performed only under the following conditions:

(i) Anesthesia services shall be provided by an anesthesiologist who is a graduate of an anesthesiology residency program accredited by the accreditation council for graduate medical education or its equivalent, or by a certified registered nurse anesthetist trained in pediatric anesthesia, either of whom shall have documented demonstrated historical and continuous competence in the care of these patients.

(ii) The practitioner performing the surgery shall be either board certified by or have obtained preboard certification status with the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery, the American Board of Podiatric Surgery or the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

(4) A medical professional who has successfully completed a course in advanced pediatric life support offered by the American Academy of Pediatrics and either the American College of Emergency Physicians or the American Heart Association shall be present in the facility.

The provisions of this § 551.22 adopted October 22, 1999, effective November 22, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 5583.

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 28 Pa. Code § 553.3 (relating to governing body responsibilities).