What procedures are excluded from the law?
Procedures involving minimal sedation or which meet the definition of “minor procedures” may be performed in an office, which is not accredited. We would like to emphasize that the level of sedation and the affect on the patient, rather than the procedure, determines whether the practice should be accredited. Minimal Sedation means a drug-induced state during which (i) patients respond normally to verbal commands; (ii) cognitive function and coordination may be impaired; and (iii) ventilatory and cardiovascular functions are unaffected. Minor Procedures means (i) procedures that can be performed safely with a minimum of discomfort where the likelihood of complications requiring hospitalization is minimal; (ii) procedures performed with local or topical anesthesia; or (iii) liposuction with the removal of less than 500cc’s of fat under unsupplemented local anesthesia.
