Bill Text: MO HB526 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Prohibits anyone from practicing as a surgical technologist in a health care facility unless he or she has met specificed requirements
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-24 - Referred: Professional Registration and Licensing (H) [HB526 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2011-HB526-Introduced.html
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE WETER.
1164L.01I D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To amend chapter 334, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to surgical technology.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Chapter 334, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 334.1100, to read as follows:
334.1100. 1. As used in this section, the following terms shall mean:
(1) "Health care facility", a hospital or ambulatory surgical center licensed under chapter 197;
(2) "Surgical technologist", a person who practices surgical technology;
(3) "Surgical technology", surgical patient care that includes, but is not limited to, the following tasks or functions:
(a) Preparing the operating room for surgical procedures by ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely;
(b) Preparing the operating room and the sterile field for surgical procedures by preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment using sterile technique;
(c) 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;
(d) As directed in an operating room setting, performing tasks at the sterile field, including:
a. Maintaining asepsis and correcting breaks in the sterile field;
b. Passing supplies, equipment, or instruments according to the needs of the surgical team;
c. Sponging or suctioning on operative site;
d. Preparing and cutting suturing material;
e. Transferring and irrigating with fluids;
f. Transferring drugs within the sterile field;
g. Handling specimens;
h. Holding retractors and other instruments;
i. Applying electrocautery to clamps on bleeders;
j. Connecting drains to suction apparatus;
k. Applying dressings to closed wounds; and
l. Performing sponge, needle, supply, and instrument counts with the registered nurse circulator.
2. No person shall practice as a surgical technologist in a health care facility unless such person meets one of the following:
(1) Has successfully completed an accredited educational program for surgical technologists and holds and maintains the Certified Surgical Technologist credential administered by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, or its successor organization; or
(2) Has completed an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard or in Public Health Service Commissioned Corps; or
(3) Provides evidence that the person was employed to practice surgical technology in a health care facility prior to August 28, 2011; or
(4) Is in the service of the federal government, to the extent such person is performing duties related to such service.
3. A health care facility may employ or contract with a person to practice surgical technology during the twelve-month period immediately following successful completion of a surgical technology program, but may continue to be employed or contracted with beyond such period without documentation that the employee or contractor holds and maintains the certified surgical technologist certification required under subdivision (2) of subsection 2 of this section.
4. (1) A person who qualifies to be employed to practice surgical technology in a health care facility under subdivision (2) or (3) of subsection 2 of this section shall annually complete fifteen hours of continuing education to remain qualified to practice as a surgical technologist.
(2) A health care facility that employs or contracts with a person to practice surgical technology shall verify that the person meets the continuing education requirements of subdivision (1) of this subsection and, where applicable, that the person has maintained the Certified Surgical Technologist credential.
5. A health care facility may employ or otherwise contract with a person who does not meet the requirements of subsection 2 of this section to 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 or contract with a sufficient number of qualified surgical technologists who meet the requirements of this section; and
(2) The health care facility makes a written record of its efforts under subdivision (1) of this subsection and retains the record at the health care facility.
6. Nothing in this section shall prohibit any licensed practitioner from performing surgical technology tasks or functions if the person is acting within the scope of such practitioner's license.
7. The department of health and senior services shall provide oversight for compliance with the provisions of this section.
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