CA Smoke Evacuation Legislation Fails New legislation expected after California Governor vetoes bill requiring evacuation of surgical smoke plume. MA Central Service Certification Moves Forward After more than a year since its introduction, the Massachusetts’s bill requiring certification of central service technicians passes the Senate. What is Your Plan? Advancing the perioperative profession and creating policies to keep patients safe often requires working with legislators. The easiest ways to influence policies is to vote and inform current legislators about the role of periop nurses. Veterans Affairs APRN Rule Moves Forward After review of a record breaking number of public comments, the VA submits a final rule regarding full practice authority for APRNs working in the Veterans Health Administration. Where are Clinton and Trump on Health Care? Campaign season is in full swing and the 2016 election is in less than 100 days. Health care is weighing on Americans, and nurses are trying to increase the health of the nation and protect patients, so where do the candidates stand on health care? Rhode Island Enacts RN Circulator Law On July 15, 2016, Rhode Island became the 25th state to have a strong law or regulation requiring an RN Circulator for every patient in every OR. Delaware Workplace Violence Bill Adds Nurses Delaware Governor signs bill increasing the penalty for assaulting a nurse performing his or her duty. States Address Workplace Violence Via Legislation States vary in their methods to address workplace violence in the health care setting because there is no federal standard. Since workplace violence remains prevalent, it is expected that legislation will continue to be introduced in the coming years. CMS MACRA Rule Should Include APRNs AORN joined nursing colleagues in urging CMS to revise its newly proposed payment and quality rule for physician payment models to include APRNs in electronic health record systems, billing programs, and quality improvement activities. RI Passes Legislation Requiring RN Circulators Rhode Island puts patient safety first. Rhode Island is poised to join over 30 states that address the role of circulating nurses and will become the 25th state to have a strong law or regulation regarding the use of RN circulators. TN to Require Certification for Central Service Techs Beginning January 2017, Tennessee will require central service technicians to be certified. RI Senate Committee Moves RN Circulator Legislation The Rhode Island Senate Health and Human Services Committee supported patient safety last week by favorably moving legislation requiring an RN Circulator in every OR out of their committee. NY RNFA Reimbursement Updated An expected chapter amendment to the 2015 RNFA reimbursement law was signed by Governor Cuomo. The chapter amendment does not impact the intent of the 2015 law and all NY RNFAs are eligible for reimbursement in June 2016. TN Central Services Tech Bill Moves Out of Senate Committee Senate Committee recommends passage of bill requiring report on the need for certification of central service technicians in Tennessee. RN Circulator Legislation Heard in Committees RN Circulator bills were heard in House and Senate committees in Rhode Island, where several organizations testified in support of patient safety. Attend Your Nurse Lobby Days Provide expertise on patient safety in operating rooms and the perioperative nursing profession by attending your state nurses association’s lobby day. RNFA Reimbursement Advocacy Opportunity RNFAs encouraged to take advantage of continuing opportunities under the IOM Future of Nursing report. Nurse Leaders in the Boardroom The NLC is excited to hold an education session on how to become a nurse leader in the boardroom at AORN’s 2016 Surgical Conference & Expo. Nebraska Rejects Surgical Technologist Licensure Proposal Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services Director joins its Board of Health in recommending against state licensure for surgical technologists. Hepatitis Scare Highlights Need for RN Supervision Colorado surgical technologist caught swapping a fentanyl syringe; hospital offers free testing to potentially exposed patients. Tennessee Considers Central Service Certification Tennessee will likely study whether certification should be required for central sterile supply technicians working in Tennessee hospitals and related institutions. VA Legislation Extends ST Registration Date to December 2016 A bill introduced in Virginia would extend the dates in which a previously practicing surgical technologist could apply to use the title of registered surgical technologist. Learn to Influence Policy Via Webinar You advocate for your patients daily. Why not advocate for your profession? Legislators want to hear from nurses, especially constituents. Safe Patient Handling Bill Needs Perioperative Voice Nurses suffer too many serious, preventable injuries due to unsafe lifting practices. Have you been injured as a result of manual patient lifting, or do you know someone who has? CO Evaluates Surgical Technologist Registry The department which manages the surgical technologist and assistant registry program recommended letting the registry expire, while the legislative committee reviewing the program voted to extend the program for five more years. New York Governor Signs RNFA Reimbursement Bill On December 11, 2015, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed S1233A, which had passed the Senate and Assembly in June 2015. The law takes effect 180 days after it becomes law, which is June 8, 2016. Share
