SECOND REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 2035

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES WETER (Sponsor), SATER, BROWN (149), SMITH (150) AND COOPER (Co-sponsors).

4620L.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, "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;

            (4) As directed in an operating room setting, performing tasks at the sterile field, including:

            (a) Passing supplies, equipment, or instruments;

            (b) Sponging or suctioning on operative site;

            (c) Preparing and cutting suturing material;

            (d) Transferring and irrigating with fluids;

            (e) Transferring but not administering drugs within the sterile field;

            (f) Handling specimens;

            (g) Holding retractors; and

            (h) Assisting in counting sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments with the registered nurse circulator.

            2. No person shall practice as a surgical technologist in a health care facility licensed under chapter 197 unless such person meets one of the following:

            (1) 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 organization; or

            (2) Has completed an appropriate training program for surgical technology in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard of the United States or in the United States Public Health Service; or

            (3) Provides evidence that the person was employed to practice surgical technology in a health care facility prior to August 28, 2010; or

            (4) Is in the service of the federal government, to the extent such person is performing duties related to such service.

            3. A person may be employed to practice as a surgical technologist during the twelve-month period immediately following graduation from an accredited school of surgical technology, but shall not continue to be employed beyond such period without documentation that the employee 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 as a surgical technologist in a licensed health care facility under subdivision (1), (2), or (3) of subsection 2 of this section shall annually complete fifteen hours of continuing education to remain qualified for employment.

            (2) A health care facility licensed under chapter 197 that employs a person to practice as a surgical technologist 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 Surgical Technologist Certification.

            5. A health care facility licensed under chapter 197 shall supervise each person employed by the licensed health care facility to practice as a surgical technologist according to the licensed health care facility's policies and procedures to ensure that the person competently performs delegated tasks intraoperatively and according to this section or other applicable laws.

            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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