South Carolina § 40-47-1560 - Authorized tasks and services; supervision by cardiologist; written protocols.

§ 40-47-1560. Authorized tasks and services; supervision by cardiologist; written protocols.

(A) Cardiovascular invasive specialists may perform medical tasks and services within the framework of a facility's written practice protocol developed for the cardiovascular invasive specialist. Within this practice protocol the registered cardiovascular invasive specialist, under the supervision of a cardiologist may engage in these functions and duties:

(1) perform baseline patient assessment;

(2) evaluate patient response to diagnostic or interventional maneuvers and medications during cardiac catheterization laboratory procedures;

(3) provide patient care and drug administration commonly used in the cardiac catheterization laboratory under the direction of a qualified physician and subject to the oversight of the facility;

(4) act as the first assistant during diagnostic and therapeutic catheterization procedures; and

(5) assist in advanced cardiac life support procedures.

(B) A cardiovascular invasive specialist shall practice only under the supervision of a physician who is actively and directly engaged in the clinical practice of medicine as a cardiologist.

(C) A cardiovascular invasive specialist practicing at all sites shall practice pursuant to written scope of the facility's practice protocols signed by all supervising cardiologists and the cardiovascular invasive specialists. Copies of the protocols must be on file at all practice sites. The protocols shall include at a minimum the:

(1) name, license number, and practice addresses of the supervising cardiologists;

(2) name and practice address of the cardiovascular invasive specialists;

(3) date the protocol was developed and dates it was reviewed or amended;

(4) situations that require direct evaluation by or immediate referral to a cardiologist.

HISTORY: 2005 Act No. 10, SECTION 6.B.