04/30/2012

Surgical Tech Legislation Moving Forward in Senate Committee

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Surgical Tech Legislation Moving Forward in Senate Committee

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The recently introduced Ohio surgical tech legislation had several hearings in March in the Senate Health Committee. The OAASC has also met with Sen Peggy Lehner (R-Montgomery County) to discuss concerns raised by some members. The OAASC needs more member feedback on how/if this legislation will impact your center.

Senate Bill 291 would require ALL ASCs and hospitals to ensure that staff involved with the surgical process have a surgical technology certification or a health professional license.

The legislation would disallow any person who is not a licensed health professional to engage in the practice of surgical technology in the facility unless the person:

• holds valid certification as a surgical technologist from the national board of surgical technology and surgical assisting;
• was actively engaged in the practice of surgical technology in the facility for all or part of six months prior to the legislation going into effect.

Surgical technology is defined as:

patient care during a surgical procedure that includes one or more of the following:

Preparing the operating room, including the sterile field, for surgical procedures by doing one or both of the following:

• Ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely;
• Handling sterile supplies, equipment, and instruments using sterile technique.

Performing one or more of the following tasks within the sterile field:

• Passing supplies, equipment, and instruments;
• Sponging or suctioning of the patient's operative site or performing both activities;
• Preparing and cutting suture material;
• Transferring fluids and irrigating with fluids;
• Transferring, but not administering, drugs;
• Handling specimens;
• Holding retractors;
• Assisting a nurse performing circulatory duties in counting sponges, needles, and other supplies and instruments.
• Anticipating and fulfilling the needs of the surgical team by applying knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology.

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