SECTION 310:667-39-13. Diagnostic services

(a)   Radiological services. The CAH shall maintain or have available diagnostic radiological services according to the needs of the patients.

(1)   Radiological services shall be free from hazards for patients and personnel. Proper safety precautions shall be maintained against fire and explosion hazards, electrical hazards, and radiation hazards.

(2)   Diagnostic x-ray equipment shall have a current permit issued by the Department and shall be inspected at least every two (2) years by a certified health physicist or by Department staff. Any identified hazards shall be promptly corrected.

(3)   The hospital shall identify those employees who are subject to significant occupational exposure to radiation while performing their job duties. All such workers shall be checked periodically for amounts of radiation exposure by the use of exposure meters or badge tests.

(4)   The CAH shall have a qualified radiologist available on a full-time, part-time or consulting basis both to supervise services and interpret diagnostic images that require specialized knowledge for accurate reading. Diagnostic images may be electronically transmitted or delivered off-site for interpretation by the radiologist. The interpretation of radiological examinations shall be made by physicians or licensed independent practitioners competent in the field according to individually granted clinical privileges. Reports of interpretations shall be written or dictated and signed by the radiologist, physician, or licensed independent practitioner making the interpretation. All diagnostic image interpretations shall be incorporated into the patient's medical record with a duplicate copy kept with the image.

(5)   The use of diagnostic x-ray equipment shall be limited to personnel designated as qualified by the radiologist or the medical and professional staff. Fluoroscopic procedures may be performed by radiology technologists only upon the written authorization of a qualified radiologist, and in the presence of a physician or licensed independent practitioner or by real time visualization through electronic means.

(6)   The CAH shall maintain copies of reports and diagnostic images for at least five (5) years.

(7)   If the CAH provides imaging services other than routine diagnostic x-ray, the CAH shall comply with appropriate sections of OAC 310:667-23-2.

(b)   Laboratory services.

(1)   The CAH shall have a well-organized, adequately supervised clinical laboratory with necessary staff, space, facilities, and equipment to perform those services commensurate with the needs of its patients. All or part of these services may be provided by arrangements with certified reference laboratories as long as services are available on an emergency basis twenty-four (24) hours a day.

(2)   If a CAH directly provides laboratory services, it shall meet all conditions as set forth in 42 CFR part 493 and be certified to perform testing on human specimens under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA '88). The CAH shall possess a current, unrevoked or unsuspended certificate appropriate for the extent of testing performed issued by the Department of Health and Human Services applicable to the category of examinations or procedures performed by the facility.

(3)   If a CAH provides laboratory services under arrangement, the referral laboratory shall also meet the requirements of this section. Referral laboratories used by the CAH shall have the ability to electronically transmit emergency test results.

[Source: Added at 12 Ok Reg 1555, eff 4-12-95 (emergency); Added at 12 Ok Reg 2429, eff 6-26-95; Amended at 17 Ok Reg 692, eff 12-16-99 (emergency); Amended at 17 Ok Reg 2992, eff 7-13-00; Amended at 20 Ok Reg 1664, eff 6-12-03]