La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-7501
The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
CLIA-Clinical Laboratories Improvement Act-requires a waiver or certificate to assure quality of laboratory testing.
DHH-Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
Division of Research and Development-Office of Primary and Rural Health Care Unit in DHH.
HCFA-Health Care Financing Administration-federal regulatory agency for Medicaid, Medicare, and Child Health Insurance programs.
HSS-Health Standards Section in the Bureau of Health Services Financing of DHH.
Midlevel Practitioner-a certified nurse midwife, a certified nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.
OMB-Office of Management and Budget of the Executive Office of the President of the United States.
OPH-Office of Public Health in the Department of Health and Hospitals.
OSFM-Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal.
Primary Care-services normally provided in a physician's office to diagnose, treat, or prevent illness or injury; and includes professional services provided by licensed professionals such as assessment, examination, approved laboratory services, and treatment services listed in §7519
Professional Services-documented on-site visits at the clinic or in locations other than the clinic, such as the patient's home, for the purpose of providing professional level skilled services. Professional Services include physical assessment, any of the waived clinical laboratory tests and treatment/education for the illness diagnosed when provided by a qualified professional as defined below.
Qualified Professionals-one of the following professionals qualified to provide services:
a. Physician-Doctor of Medicine (MD);
b. Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN);
c. Licensed Physician's Assistant (PA);
d. Licensed Social Worker-Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW);
e. Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LP).
Rural Area-a non-metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the federal Office of Management and Budget and the Census Bureau/Population and Housing Unit Counts, which has a shortage of physicians and other health care providers as determined by the Department of Health and Hospitals.
Rural Health Clinic (RHC)-an outpatient primary care clinic seeking or possessing certification by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) as a rural health clinic, which provides diagnosis and treatment to the public by a qualified mid-level practitioner and a licensed physician.
Secretary-secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals.
Standards of Practice-standards developed and issued by Louisiana professional practices boards that govern health care and allied health professions. Duties and delegation of duties by licensed/certified personnel shall be performed within the bounds of ethical and legal standards of practice. All patient care services must be provided in accordance with the orders of licensed and certified practitioners. Standards of practice pertinent to rural health clinic practice are listed in §7523 of this document.
Waiver or Variance-written permission granted by the HSS or DHH Secretary or his designee to a facility to operate out of compliance with a specific portion of the standards when it is determined that the health and safety of the patients will not be jeopardized.
La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-7501