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RN Circulator legislation gathers momentum |
West Virginia passed into law RN Circulator legislation (HB 4474) on March 7, the last day of the state's legislative session. Language for the law, which requires an RN to serve as the circulator during surgical procedures, was drafted through collaboration between AORN Government Affairs and grassroots members in West Virginia.
Because AORN does not have a lobbyist in West Virginia, these grassroots members guided HB 4474 through the House and the Senate.
"The success of West Virginia HB 4474 becoming law is a testament to the power of grassroots advocacy," said AORN Government Affairs Director Cathy Sparkman.
In Pennsylvania legislation requiring an RN Circulator in certain operating rooms (HB 1867) passed the House unanimously on Monday, Feb. 11, and has moved to a vote by the Senate.
This bill has received widespread support from other associations, including the Pennsylvania Ambulatory Surgery Center Association, the Pennsylvania Hospital Association and the Association of Surgical Technologists (AST).
In January 2008 Ben Price, AST director of government and public affairs sent AORN a letter of support for the Pa. bill.
In his letter Price stated that the language in HB 1867 "allows surgical technologists to assist in the performance of circulating tasks and functions as directed and supervised by the registered nurse circulator. Surgical patient safety is enhanced when all members of the surgical team act collaboratively and in concert."
Other states proposing or considering legislation for:
RN Circulator
- New York: HB 1206 passed the Assembly and is under consideration by the Senate.
- Georgia: RN Circulator HB 589 is set for committee hearing in the House.
- Tennessee: Grassroots members have recently appeared before the State Board of Nursing and the Tennessee Department of Health Board for Licensing Health Care Facilities and submitted testimony in support of proposed amendments to the Tennessee regulations to require a RN circulator in all hospital and ambulatory surgical center ORs.
- Michigan: Grassroots members and AORN Government Affairs staff members have selected a lobbyist and will be meeting with potential Senate sponsors at the state capitol in Lansing on March 25.
RN Circulator 50-state Overview
Read the March issue of AORN Advocacy Update.