RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – An Asheville abortion clinic has had its license suspended by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services over what the agency calls violations of existing rules.

A statement issued Wednesday said the violations discovered by inspectors revealed a threat to the health and safety of patients.

DHHS director of health service regulation Drexdal Pratt said inspectors found FEMCARE Inc., failed to comply with 23 separate rules. Among the violations, the agency said FEMCARE failed to maintain anesthesia delivery systems in good working condition, with torn masks and tubing held together with tape.

FEMCARE officials couldn’t be reached for comment Wednesday.

The suspension comes two days after Governor Pat McCrory signed into law legislation that would let DHHS require that abortion clinics meet the standards of an outpatient surgical center.