Virginia Leaders Release Statement on RN Circulators On December 12, 2014, the Virginia Council of periOperative Registered Nurses (VCORN) and the Virginia Hospital; Healthcare Association (VHHA) issued a joint position statement setting forth their agreement on the principles governing the use of Registered Nurse circulators in Virginia operating rooms. Idaho Vacates Continued Competency Requirement In August, 2014, the Idaho Board of Nursing issued a proposed rule requiring registered and licensed practical nurses seeking to renew their licenses to demonstrate continued competence. Delaware Finalizes ASC RN Circulator Rule In 2012 the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health issued proposed revisions to the regulations governing Free Standing Surgical Centers, 16 DE Admin. Code 4405. On November 1, 2014 the Division of Public Health released new regulations, which include the language AORN supported. New York Preps for Certification Mandates New laws effective January 1, 2015 require certification and annual continuing education for surgical technologists and central service technicians working in New York hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Illinois Adopts AORN Guidelines In October 2013, AORN submitted comments to the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding proposed amendments to its Ambulatory Surgical Treatment Center (ASTC) Licensing Requirements. Surgical Technologist Bill Vetoed Again This year California Governor Jerry Brown (D) signed 930 bills and vetoed 143 bills, with hundreds of those bills being addressed close to the midnight signing deadline on Tuesday, September 30, 2014. One of the vetoed bills was Assembly Bill 2062, authored and introduced by Assembly Member Roger Hernandez (D). MA Surgical Technologist Rules Finalized In December 2012 the Massachusetts Governor signed Senate bill 2058, which defined a variety of terms including “surgical technologist”, “surgical technology” and “operating room circulator” in Massachusetts law and set forth certification requirements for surgical technologists. Idaho Adding Continued Competency Requirements for License Renewal In May, the Idaho Board of Nursing issued a proposed rule requiring registered and licensed practical nurses seeking to renew their licenses to demonstrate continued competence. Delaware Changing ASC Rules for RN Circulators In 2012 the Department of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health issued proposed revisions to the regulations governing Free Standing Surgical Centers, 16 DE Admin. Code 4405. On July 1, 2014 the Department of Health and Social Services resubmitted the proposed revisions for public comment. MA Central Service Bill Stalls in Committee Last fall Massachusetts Senator Stephen Brewer introduced a bill that would require certification and continuing education for central service technicians working in Massachusetts hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Florida Updates ASC Rules In fall of 2013, the Florida Health Facility and Agency Licensing, a division of the Agency for Health Care Administration, issued preliminary proposed rule changes impacting ambulatory surgical centers. Massachusetts Considers Creating a Robotic Surgery Commission Massachusetts Senate bill 2261, which is the substitute for the bill Senator Moore introduced in early 2013, S. 1069, has moved through the Senate favorably. Costly Nurse Staffing Initiative Avoided Through a Compromise Up until recently, the Massachusetts Nurses Association was promoting two ballot questions on nurse-patient ratios and hospital financial transparency. Florida Governor Signs Nursing Education Bill On June 13th, 2014 Florida Governor Rick Scott signed Senate Bill 1036, which relates to nursing education programs. For the renewal of a license or certificate, up to 30 hours of continuing education will be required biennially. New York Now Has Safe Patient Handling Legislation Late last month, the New York legislature passed Senate Bill 6914, which enacted major components of legislation necessary to implement the state health and mental hygiene budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Virginia STs Title Protection Bill Signed into Law On April 3, 2014 Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe signed SB 328 into law regarding surgical technologists and surgical assistants. Pennsylvania RNFA Reimbursement Bill Stalled in Committee AORN is encouraging RNFAs in Pennsylvania to contact Senator Donald White, Chair of the Banking and Insurance Committee, to ask him to put SB 846 on the agenda. AORN Comments on Minnesota Surgical Technologist Bill AORN provided comments regarding a surgical technologist bill, House File 1993, in Minnesota. It requires qualifications and continuing education for surgical technologists. Mississippi Moves to Add RN to Board of Medicine In a move showing the importance of including nursing leadership in key regulatory roles, Mississippi Representative Doug McLeod introduced House bill 1284, which would add a registered nurse practitioner to the Mississippi Board of Medicine in an ex officio non-voting capacity. New York RNFA Reimbursement Bill Amended in Committee New York’s RNFA reimbursement bill efforts are being led by New York State Senator Betty Little, with a companion bill sponsored by Assemblyman Charles Lavine. Share
