LAC 46:XLV.7303. Definitions

A. As used in this Chapter, unless the context clearly states otherwise, the following terms and phrases shall have the meanings specified. Anesthesiaa medical intervention that causes a temporary loss of sensation or awareness, usually for medical or veterinary purposes. It prevents patients from feeling pain during procedures like surgery, dental work, and tissue sample removal. Anesthesia works by stopping nerves from sending signals to the brain. Anesthesia Provideran anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist who possesses current certification or other evidence of completion of training in advanced cardiac life support or pediatric advanced life support for pediatric patients. Anesthesiologista physician licensed by the board to practice medicine in this state who has completed postgraduate residency training in anesthesiology and is engaged in the practice of such specialty. Boardthe Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)an advanced practice registered nurse certified according to the requirements of a nationally recognized certifying body approved by the Louisiana State Board of Nursing ("Board of Nursing") who possesses a current license or permit duly authorized by the Board of Nursing to select and administer anesthetics or provide ancillary services to patients pursuant to R.S. 37:911 et seq., and who, pursuant to R.S. 37:911 et seq., administers anesthetics and ancillary services under the direction and supervision of a physician who is licensed to practice under the laws of this state Deep Sedation/Analgesiaa drug-induced depression of consciousness during which patients cannot be easily aroused but respond purposefully following repeated or painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function may be impaired. Patients may require assistance in maintaining a patent airway and spontaneous ventilation may be inadequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained. Monitoring of patients undergoing deep sedation shall only be performed by an anesthesia provider. Equipmentimplicit within the use of the term equipment in this Chapter is the requirement that the specific item named must meet generally accepted current performance standards. General Anesthesiaa drug-induced loss of consciousness, by use of any anesthetic induction agent or otherwise, during which patients are not arousable even by painful stimulation. The ability to independently maintain ventilatory function is often impaired. Patients often require assistance in maintaining a patent airway and positive pressure ventilation may be required because of depressed spontaneous ventilation or drug-induced depression of neuromuscular function. Cardiovascular function may be impaired. General anesthesia shall only be performed by an anesthesia provider. Major Conduction Anesthesiaa drug or combination of drugs to interrupt nerve impulses without loss of consciousness. Medical Practice Act or the ActR.S. 37:1261 et seq., as may be amended from time to time. Medical Recordsas required by this Chapter, a complete record maintained by the physician or podiatric physician performing office-based surgery to include patient history and physical, diagnostic evaluations, consultations, laboratory and diagnostic reports, informed consents, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative anesthesia assessments, course of anesthesia (including monitoring modalities), drug administration, and discharge and follow-up care. Moderate Sedation/Analgesia (conscious sedation) a drug induced depression of consciousness during which patients respond purposefully to verbal commands, either alone or accompanied by light tactile stimulation. No interventions are required to maintain a patent airway and spontaneous ventilation is adequate. Cardiovascular function is usually maintained. Monitoring of the patients undergoing moderate sedation shall be performed by qualified monitoring personnel or an anesthesia provider. Office-Based Surgerysurgery that is performed outside a hospital, an ambulatory surgical center, abortion clinic, or other medical facility licensed by the Louisiana Department of Health or a successor agency. Physiciana person currently certified in advanced cardiac life support or pediatric advanced life support for pediatric patients who is lawfully entitled to engage in the practice of medicine or podiatry in this state as evidenced by a current license or permit issued by the board. Podiatrista person lawfully allowed to engage in the practice of podiatry as evidenced by current license or permit issued by the board. Qualified Monitoring Personnelhealth care providers appropriately trained, qualified and licensed in this state who are currently certified in advanced cardiac life support or pediatric advanced life support for pediatric patients, and who are designated to monitor and attend to patients during the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative periods. Reasonable Proximityfor patients 13 years of age and older, a location not more than 30 miles away or which may be reached within 30 minutes. For patients 12 years of age and under, a location not more than 15 miles away or which can be reached within 15 minutes. Regional Anesthesia/Blockthe administration of anesthetic agents that interrupt nerve impulses without loss of consciousness or ability to independently maintain an airway, ventilatory or cardiovascular function that includes but is not limited to the upper or lower extremities. For purposes of this Chapter regional anesthesia of or near the central nervous system by means of epidural or spinal shall be considered general anesthesia. Surgeryany operative procedure, including the use of lasers performed upon the body of a living human being for the purposes of preserving health, diagnosing or curing disease, repairing injury, correcting deformity or defects, prolonging life or relieving suffering, and/or any elective procedure for aesthetic, reconstructive or cosmetic purposes, to include, but not be limited to: incision or curettage of tissue or organ; suture or other repair of tissue or organ, including a closed as well as an open reduction of a fracture; extraction of tissue including premature extraction of the products of conception from the uterus; insertion of natural or artificial implants; or an endoscopic procedure. Surgical Eventa potentially harmful or life-threatening episode related to either the anesthetic or the surgery. Any surgical event in the immediate perioperative period that must be reported are those which are life-threatening, or require special treatment, or require hospitalization, including, but not limited to: serious cardiopulmonary or anesthetic events; major anesthetic or surgical complications; temporary or permanent disability; coma; or death.