2 states target reprocessing, UAPs
Two pieces of state legislation could have national implications for same-day surgery managers:
• Reprocessing of single-use instruments.
A bill approved in Illinois would make it the first state to regulate the reprocessing of single-use surgical instruments. While the initial bill sought to ban any reuse of medical surgical devices labeled for single use, the final version allows hospitals to reprocess medical devices as long as it is done in accordance with regulations set by the state. Reprocessing can be done only by firms or hospitals that have registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. If signed by the governor, which was expected at press time, the bill will take effect Jan. 1.
Illinois surgery centers plan to ask the General Assembly next year to amend the bill to include surgery centers as well as hospitals, says Mark Mayo, executive director of the Illinois Free-standing Surgery Center Association in St. Charles.
• Staffing ratios for nurses; limited duties for unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs).
A bill proposed in California would establish specific staffing ratios for nurses in specified hospitals and limit the duties that may be performed by unlicensed personnel.
"It’s a concern to our membership that hospitals in particular are taking people from the streets and giving them two to six weeks of training and authorizing them to do tasks previously done as RN functions," says Candace Romig, legislative program coordinator at the Association of Operating Room Nurses in Denver.
The bill would ensure nurses aren’t serving as a circulating assistants for more than one operating room. But concerns about the bill are being raised by the Association of Surgical Technologists in Englewood, CO. "It doesn’t seem like that’s flexible to what’s going on in health care institutions," says Christopher Habgood, legislative coordinator for the association. "Surgical technologists have been functioning in that role for more than 30 years, at least as far as circulator assistant."
The Association of Surgical Technologists also is concerned that the bill states invasive procedures and sterile procedures must be supervised by an RN. "That is the basis of the surgical technologist profession: invasive procedures,’ which is surgery; and sterile,’ which is sterile instrumentation," Habgood says.
At press time, the bill was dead for this year, but it can be brought up for reconsideration by the California Assembly next year, he says.
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