Recovery Procedures
Effective Feb 28, 2025Mass. Register #1542MGL c. 111, §§ 3, and 51 through 56Department of Public Health
- (A) Each postoperative patient shall be supervised constantly while recovering from surgery and anesthesia by a registered nurse trained to recognize complications until released from the recovery area.
- (B) Patients shall be sufficiently recovered from surgery and anesthesia prior to discharge. The individual who performed the surgical procedure shall be responsible for a postoperative evaluation and shall enter his or her report and discharge order into the patient’s record prior to the patient’s discharge. Patients recovering from general or regional anesthesia shall have a post anesthesia evaluation performed by a physician or, in the case of a patient without medical problems admitted for dental procedures, a dentist with anesthesia privileges.
- (C) The clinic shall provide each patient with written instructions including possible complications arising from the surgery, how to recognize these complications, whom to contact for follow-up care with questions if the clinic is closed and in the event of an emergency.