ANALYSIS OF HOUSE BILL 1864

           Providing for the registration of surgical technologists.

Health Care Committee                        February 24,  1999

Washington State House of Representatives

BACKGROUND:

Surgical technologists are non-regulated personnel principally employed by hospitals as part of the operating room team which works under the supervision of surgeons to perform certain skills and aseptic techniques commonly associated with the Ascrub@ role during surgery..

Some are employed by ambulatory surgery centers, or private physician operating suites.  The scrub role includes a variety of tasks assuring the physical preparation of the operating room and preparation of basic sterile packs and trays, generally creating the sterile field during operative procedures.  In comparison, Afirst assisting@ implies more advanced  tasks  such as closing sutures, stapling, assisting with bleeding vessels, or other duties the surgeon may delegate to physicians, nurses or physician assistants.

At the request of the legislature, the question of the need for regulating surgical technologists was referred to the Department of Health  and the Board of Health for findings and recommendations under the Sunrise Review Act.  The department and the board jointly recommended that surgical technologists be registered under the Secretary in order to establish standards and provide oversight through the Uniform Disciplinary Act.        

SUMMARY:  There is a declaration of legislative intent that the registration of  surgical technologists is in the public interest.  Surgical technology is an allied health occupation providing certain skills and aseptic techniques associated with the scrub role during surgery.

A surgical technologist is defined as a person registered by the Department of Health who practices under the supervision and delegation of a physician, nurse, or physician assistant.

Surgical technology is defined as scrub activities and behaviors in the surgical setting, maintaining the sterile field and preparation of instruments and supplies throughout the surgical process.  It does not include hemostasis, suturing, or tying or placing sutures.

Surgical technologists performing surgical technology or representing themselves as surgical technologists are required to register with the department.  Exemptions from the registration requirement are specified.

The department is authorized to adopt rules, set registration fees and administer the registration program.  The Uniform Disciplinary Act governs the discipline of surgical technologists for unprofessional conduct, and the Secretary of Health acts as the disciplining authority.