Washington is a "state-plan state" for purposes of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which means Washington administers its own workplace health and safety program.  The state's program, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act (WISHA), must be at least as effective as the OSHA standards.  The WISHA covers nearly all employers and employees in the state, including state, county, and city employees.  The Department of Labor and Industries (Department), through the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, administers and enforces the WISHA. 
 
The use of lasers or other electrosurgical equipment used on tissue during surgery can create a smoke byproduct.  There are currently no specific OSHA or WISHA standards governing surgical smoke.  Oregon recently passed legislation that requires hospitals to have policies addressing surgical smoke.

Hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities must adopt policies that require the use of a smoke evacuation system during any planned surgical procedure that is likely to generate surgical smoke which would otherwise make contact with the eyes or respiratory tract of occupants in the room.  The hospital or ambulatory surgical facility may select any smoke evacuation system that accounts for surgical techniques and procedures vital to patient safety and that takes into account employee safety. 

"Smoke evacuation system" is defined as equipment designed to capture and neutralize surgical smoke at the point of origin before the smoke makes contact with the eyes or the respiratory tract of occupants in the room.  Smoke evacuation systems may be integrated with, or separate from, the energy generating device. 

The Department must ensure compliance with this requirement during any on-site inspection and may adopt rules to implement the provision. 

The act takes effect January 1, 2024, for most hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities.  For critical access hospitals, hospitals with fewer than 25 acute care beds in operation, and hospitals certified by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as sole community hospitals, the act takes effect January 1, 2025.

(In support) Smoke caused when human tissue is vaporized during a surgical procedure is hazardous.  Studies show that surgical smoke contains many toxic compounds.  Some hospitals use smoke evacuation systems, but not all do, and hospitals do not use them consistently.  Regular suctioning does not filter the smoke and hazardous vapor is still in the room.  This bill will make operating rooms safer.  The bill gives hospitals time to implement these policies.  Federal and state health and safety agencies have had recommendations on addressing surgical smoke but there are no requirements. 

(Opposed) Smaller critical access hospitals will not have the resources to purchase the different types of equipment required.  The bill needs to be narrowed to address only smoke outside the patient's body.  The use of personal protective equipment should be allowed as an option.  There should not be financial penalties.  The bill should be tied to the energy performance standards applicable to hospital's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

(Other) Physicians need flexibility and should be able to use their discretion when determining what equipment to use.