Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1593
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 25-36.1-2.
Synopsis: Practicing as a surgical technologist. Specifies individuals
who may perform surgical technology functions in a health care facility
setting. Requires health care facility employers to ensure that surgical
technology employees meet specified conditions. Specifies
qualifications for an operating room circulator.
Effective: July 1, 2009.
January 16, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on Public Health.
Introduced
First Regular Session 116th General Assembly (2009)
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HOUSE BILL No. 1593
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
professions and occupations.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SOURCE: IC 25-36.1-2; (09)IN1593.1.1. -->
SECTION 1. IC 25-36.1-2 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE
AS A
NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2009]:
Chapter 2. Practicing Surgical Technology
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "health care facility" includes the
following:
(1) A hospital:
(A) licensed under IC 16-21-2; or
(B) described in:
(i) IC 16-22; or
(ii) IC 16-23.
(2) An ambulatory outpatient surgical center licensed under
IC 16-21-2.
(3) A birthing center licensed under IC 16-21-2.
(4) An abortion clinic licensed under IC 16-21-2.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "operating room circulator"
means an individual who is:
(1) licensed as a registered nurse under IC 25-23;
(2) educated, trained, and experienced in perioperative
nursing; and
(3) responsible for coordinating all nursing care, patient
safety needs, and needs of the surgical team in the operating
room during a surgical procedure.
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "surgical technology" means
intraoperative surgical patient care that involves the following:
(1) Preparing the operating room for surgical procedures by:
(A) ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning
properly and safely; and
(B) preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment
using sterile technique.
(2) Anticipating the needs of the surgical team based on
knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology relating
to the surgical patient and the patient's surgical procedure.
(3) Performing tasks in an operating room setting in the
sterile field, including the following:
(A) Passing supplies, equipment, or instruments.
(B) Suctioning or sponging an operative site.
(C) Preparing and cutting suture material.
(D) Transferring and irrigating with fluids.
(E) Transferring, without administering, drugs within the
sterile field.
(F) Handling specimens.
(G) Holding retractors.
(H) Assisting in counting sponges, needles, supplies, and
instruments with an operating room circulator as allowed
under section 6 of this chapter.
Sec. 4. This chapter does not prohibit a licensed practitioner
from performing surgical technology functions if the practitioner
is acting within the scope of the practitioner's license.
Sec. 5. (a) An individual may not practice surgical technology in
a health care facility unless the individual meets one (1) of the
following requirements:
(1) Is certified under IC 25-36.1-1.
(2) Has completed a surgical technology program provided by
the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or
Coast Guard, or the commissioned corps of the United States
Public Health Service.
(3) Provides evidence that the individual was employed to
practice surgical technology in a health care facility before
July 1, 2009.
(4) Is performing duties related to the individual's
employment by the federal government.
(5) Is practicing surgical technology during the twelve (12)
month period immediately following the completion of a
degree from an accredited school of surgical technology.
(b) An individual who is:
(1) described in subsection (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3); and
(2) practicing surgical technology in a health care facility;
annually shall complete fifteen (15) hours of continuing education
concerning surgical technology in order to continue practicing
surgical technology.
(c) A health care facility employer shall do the following:
(1) Verify that a surgical technology employee has:
(A) completed the employee's required continuing
education under subsection (b); and
(B) maintained the employee's surgical technologist
certification if the employee is described in subsection
(a)(1).
(2) Supervise a surgical technology employee to ensure that
the employee is performing:
(A) within the health care employer's policies and
procedures; and
(B) competently.
Sec. 6. (a) An individual described in section 5(a) of this chapter
may assist an operating room circulator in performing circulating
duties if the individual:
(1) has the necessary education, training, and experience; and
(2) is:
(A) assigned to perform the tasks; and
(B) supervised;
by the operating room circulator.
(b) The operating room circulator shall be present in the
operating room for the duration of the surgical procedure unless
the surgery takes place in a critical access hospital, as defined by
federal law.
Sec. 7. The state department of health shall administer this
chapter.