CA AB491

Authorizes expansion of cardiac catheterization laboratory services at general acute care hospitals that applied for program flexibility on or before July 1, 2012, limited to no more than two hospitals.

Allows expanded cardiac catheterization laboratory space to be located outside the hospital building if connected by an enclosed all-weather passageway, provided the service performs catheterizations on no more than 25 percent of the hospital's inpatients needing the procedure.

Requires the State Department of Public Health and Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development to adopt emergency regulations by February 28, 2013, establishing standards for the expanded services including nurse-to-patient ratios and building code compliance.

Mandates permanent regulations be adopted by March 1, 2014, ensuring adequate patient health and safety protections before hospitals can continue operating expanded cardiac catheterization laboratory services under these provisions.

Takes effect immediately as an urgency statute to improve access to cardiac catheterization services for patients.