Office Surgery Facility Inspections: What does it mean? Part 1

Requirements for Physician Office Registration

Florida office surgery facilities that are not nationally accredited must undergo annual Department of Health (Department) inspections. All new office surgery facilities are required to undergo a Department pre-registration inspection regardless of national accreditation.

Inspections and inspection reports are broken down into six (6) categories:

• Requirements for Physician Office Registration;
• General Requirements for Office Surgery;
• Requirements for Level I (Liposuction) Office Surgery;
• Requirements for Level II Office Surgery;
• Gluteal Fat Grafting; and
• Requirements for Level III Office Surgery

Requirements for Physician Office Registration

A Department Inspector will come to your facility and check the following items:

1. The office surgery facility is registered and has a designated physician appointed and on file with the Department.
2. The designated physician must have a full, unrestricted medical license and practice at the office surgery facility and any changes are reported to the Department within the required number of days.
3. The office surgery facility meets and maintains financial responsibility and is filed with the Department and any changes have been reported to the Department within the required number of days.
4. Physicians/Surgeons practicing in the office surgery meet and maintain financial responsibility and are on file with the Board of Medicine or Board of Osteopathic Medicine and changes have been reported to the Board of Medicine within the required number of days.
5. The Physicians/Surgeons in the office surgery facility are registered with the Department.
6. Verify the office surgery facility’s national accrediting status.
7. The physicians perform surgery in accordance with Rule 64B8-9.009(1)(a), Florida Administrative Code (or Rule 65B15-14.0076(2)(a), Florida Administrative Code.
8. The surgeons have active licenses in Florida.
9. The designated physician has notified the Department of any changes related to the office surgery facility within the required number of days.
10. The office surgery registration is posted in the office.
11. The office equipment meets the current performance standards.
12. The surgery is being performed outside of a hospital, ambulatory surgery center, abortion clinic or other medical facility licensed by the Department or the Agency for Health Care Administration.
13. The facility meets the definition of an office surgery facility.
14. Human Trafficking sign is posted in the office.

It is important to be prepared for Department Inspectors.  Be sure to have all your records ready for the inspector to review on the day of the inspection.

If you fail an inspection, you must submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) to the Department within the required number of days.  The Department will then determine if the office is in compliance or, if not, file a complaint against the facility and the designated physician for failing the inspection.

Don’t let this happen.  Let the experienced health law attorneys at Howell, Buchan & Strong help. We can help you prepare for the inspection. If you have already failed the inspection and you are wondering what to do, we can assist you in preparing the CAP.  If you have already received a complaint against the office surgery facility, we can help defend your registration. Contact us today for a free consultation.