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2012 Health Policy News

IOM Update: Texas Action Coalition Urges Reimbursement of RNFAs by Medicare

In a letter dated November 5, 2012, the Texas Team Advancing Health Through Nursing urged for reimbursement of registered nurse first assistants (RNFAs) by Medicare.

North Carolina Hospital Celebrates Central Sterile Week

Randolph Hospital in Asheboro, North Carolina celebrated Central Sterile Week (October 14-20, 2012) in a big way this year.

North Carolina Leaders Attend American Nurses Advocacy Institute

North Carolina perioperative nurses Karen Lemmons, BSN RN CNOR, and Lady Sue Bell, BSN MBA/MHA RN, joined 17 other nurses from 14 states to participate in the American Nurses Association’s (ANA) fourth annual American Nurses Advocacy Institute (ANAI) in Washington, DC, from September 30 through October 2, 2012.

California Surgical Technologist Bill Vetoed

California Governor Edmund Brown Jr. has vetoed Assembly Bill 2561, a surgical technologist certification bill.

California Surgical Technologist Bill Passes Both Houses

A bill that would make it unlawful for a person to use the title "certified surgical technologist" unless the person meets certain educational requirements and holds a certification in California has passed both houses of the legislature and is being sent to the Governor’s desk for action.

Massachusetts Surgical Technologist Certification Bill Awaiting Action

A Massachusetts surgical technologist certification bill is waiting to be acted on in the House of Representatives before the Massachusetts legislature adjourns on January 1, 2013.

Washington Considers Surgical Technologist Certification Requirement

The Washington State Department of Health is examining whether surgical technologists in the state should be required to maintain national certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting.

Appellate Court Protects Patient Safety Work Product

The Illinois Second District Appellate Court has upheld a lower court’s decision that patient safety work product is privileged under the Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act (PSQIA) of 1995.

IOM Update: Advocacy for RNFA Reimbursement

New York State’s Future of Nursing Action Coalition, a non-partisan entity designated by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to take a state leadership role in implementing the recommendations of the IOM’s report.

Surgical Technologist Bill Fails in Florida

A bill that would have required education and certification of surgical technologists in Florida licensed health care facilities failed in the Florida House of Representatives this March. Senate bill 362 was introduced in the Florida Senate on January 10, 2012.

Mississippi Considers Recording All Surgical Procedures

The Mississippi legislature is considering House Bill 1006, which would require the entirety of all surgical procedures performed by physicians or other health care providers be recorded.

States Explore Ways to Fund Nursing Education

States nationwide are experiencing a shortage of both nurse faculty and practicing nurses. Several states are working to address both of these issues through legislation.

Wisconsin Hospitals Join to Prevent HACs and Readmissions

123 Wisconsin hospitals are participating in a national initiative designed to prevent hospital-acquired conditions (HACs) and reduce unnecessary read...

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Legislating Competence? Bills Focus on Continuing Competence

Both California and Georgia are considering bills this year that would require demonstration of competency for professional registered nurses. These bills reflect a trend toward competency-based practice as hospitals and other health care facilities move away from practice hours toward more valid measures of continuing competence.

New York and New Jersey Consider BSN Requirement

The bill indicates the need for this requirement is based on the increasing complexity of the American healthcare system, rapidly expanding technology, and a growing body of evidence that suggests a correlation between additional education and better patient outcomes.

New Jersey Governor Signs Surgical Technologist Bill

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed Assembly bill 3946 which sets forth minimum requirements for employment as a surgical technologist in New Jersey hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers.

New Jersey Surgical Technologist Bill Headed Back to Governor’s Desk

In November 2011, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie returned A3946 to the legislature due to concerns that the bill would limit the pool of candidates eligible for employment as a surgical technologist to only those who possess a specific credential.