The following definitions shall apply to all rules in this Section:

1. (1) "Approved gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy rooms" means GI endoscopy rooms that were approved for a certificate of need by the CON Section prior to the date the application was submitted but that are not licensed as of the date the application is submitted.
2. (2) "Existing GI endoscopy rooms" means GI endoscopy rooms that were licensed prior to the beginning of the review period.
3. (3) "GI endoscopy procedure" means each upper endoscopy, esophagoscopy, or colonoscopy procedure performed on a patient during a single visit to the licensed health service facility.
4. (4) "Licensed health service facility" means either a hospital as defined in G.S. 131E-176(13) or an ambulatory surgical facility as defined in G.S. 131E-176(1b).
5. (5) "New GI endoscopy room" means a GI endoscopy room that is not included in the inventory of GI endoscopy rooms in the State Medical Facilities Plan as of the date the application is submitted.
6. (6) "Service area" means the county where the proposed GI endoscopy room will be developed.

History Note: Authority G.S. 131E-177(1); 131E-183(b);
Temporary Adoption Eff. February 1, 2006;
Eff. November 1, 2006;
Readopted Eff. January 1, 2021.