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S. 676
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senator Jackson
Document Path: l:\council\bills\nbd\11538ac07.doc
Companion/Similar bill(s): 3721
Introduced in the Senate on April 17, 2007
Currently residing in the Senate Committee on Medical Affairs
Summary: Surgical technology
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4/17/2007 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-6 4/17/2007 Senate Referred to Committee on Medical Affairs SJ-6
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-380 SO AS TO PROVIDE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PERSON TO PRACTICE SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY AND TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION; AND BY ADDING SECTION 44-7-385 SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT AN OPERATING ROOM CIRCULATOR MUST BE A REGISTERED NURSE, AND TO PROVIDE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH A SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIST MAY ASSIST IN PERFORMING OPERATING ROOM CIRCULATION DUTIES.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Article 3, Chapter 7, Title 44 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 44-7-380. (A) As used in this section, 'surgical technology' means intraoperative surgical patient care that involves:
(1) preparing the operating room for surgical procedures by ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely;
(2) preparing the operating room and the sterile field for surgical procedures by preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment using sterile technique;
(3) anticipating the needs of the surgical team based on knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology and how they relate to the surgical patient and the patient's surgical procedure; and
(4) as directed within the sterile field in an operating room setting, performing tasks including:
(a) passing supplies, equipment, or instruments;
(b) sponging or suctioning an operative site;
(c) preparing and cutting suture materials;
(d) transferring fluids or drugs;
(e) holding retractors; and
(f) assisting in counting sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
(B)(1) A person may not practice surgical technology in a health care facility unless the person meets one of the following requirements:
(a) has successfully completed an accredited educational program for surgical technologists and holds and maintains the Surgical Technologist Certification administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or its successor;
(b) has completed an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard or in the United States Public Health Service;
(c) provides evidence that the person was employed to practice surgical technology in a health care facility in this State prior to January 1, 2008; or
(d) is in the service of the federal government, to the extent the person is performing duties related to that service.
(2) A person qualified to practice as a surgical technologist pursuant to subsection (B)(1) remains qualified to practice regardless of a break in practice.
(C) A person who does not meet the requirements of this section, may practice surgical technology in a health care facility if:
(1) after a diligent and thorough effort has been made, the health care facility is unable to employ a sufficient number of persons who meet the requirements of this section; and
(2) the health care facility makes a written record of its efforts made pursuant to item (1) and retains the record at the health care facility.
(D) A person who qualifies to practice surgical technology in a health care facility pursuant to subsection (B)(1)(a), (b), or (c) annually must complete fifteen hours of continuing education to remain qualified for employment.
(E) A health care facility that employs a person to practice surgical technology shall verify that the person meets the continuing education requirements of subsection (D) or that the person has held and maintained the Surgical Technologist Certification as required in subsection (B)(1)(a).
(F) A health care facility shall supervise each person employed by the health care facility to practice surgical technology according to the health care facility's policies and procedures to ensure that the person competently performs delegated tasks intraoperatively according to this section or other applicable provisions of law.
(G) This section does not prohibit a person licensed under another provision of law from performing surgical technology tasks or functions if the person is acting within the scope of his or her license.
Section 44-7-385. (A) As used in this section, an 'operating room circulator' means a registered nurse trained, educated, or experienced in perioperative nursing who is responsible for coordinating the nursing care and safety needs of a patient in the operating room and who also meets the needs of the operating room team members during surgery.
(B) An operating room circulator in a health care facility must be a licensed registered nurse educated, trained, and experienced in perioperative nursing.
(C) A surgical technologist may not serve as the circulator in the operating room of a health care facility; however, a person who is employed to practice surgical technology in a health care facility may assist in the performance of circulating duties:
(1) consistent with the person's education, training, and experience; and
(2) as assigned and supervised by a registered nurse circulator who must be present in the operating room for the duration of the surgical procedure."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect January 1, 2008.
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