Is a pap smear or nasogastric (NG) tube placement an invasive procedure subject to the OBS law?
The law does not mention any procedure by name except for liposuction greater than 500 cc of fat. Rather the determination of whether a particular procedure is subject to the law is based on the level of sedation. The sedation level is based on the affect on the patient and is not related to any particular drug, dose, or route of administration. Generally, pap smears are not done with any sedation so the law would not apply if no sedation was given. Whether the insertion of a NG tube is an invasive procedure subject to the law, is dependent on the affect on the patient based on the level of sedation administered. In deciding whether a practice has to be accredited, the physician should review past practice and determine whether the procedures performed are surgical or invasive AND that more than minimal sedation is administered. Both pieces have to be present for the law to apply.
