WAC 246-320-246   Recovery care.  The purpose of this section is to guide the management of patients recovering from anesthesia and sedation. Hospitals are not required to provide anesthesia recovery services in order to be licensed.

     If providing recovery services, hospitals must:

     (1) Adopt and implement policies and procedures that define the qualifications and oversight of staff delivering recovery services;

     (2) Assure a physician or licensed independent practitioner capable of managing complications and providing cardiopulmonary resuscitation is immediately available for patients recovering from anesthesia; and

     (3) Assure a registered nurse trained and current in advanced cardiac life support measures is immediately available for patients recovering from anesthesia.



[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.41 RCW and RCW 43.70.040. 09-07-050, § 246-320-246, filed 3/11/09, effective 4/11/09.]