RI Governor Signs Smoke Evacuation Legislation

On June 4, Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo signed into law legislation that will require hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers to adopt policies requiring elimination of surgical smoke by use of smoke evacuation systems in Rhode Island operating rooms. Facilities have 90 days from the effective date of January 1, 2019, to report to the Department of Health that policies have been adopted. Rhode Island is the first state to address surgical smoke evacuation by law.

History

AORN spearheaded the effort to pass this workplace safety legislation, working for two years in collaboration with the Rhode Island State Nurses Association (RISNA). Legislation was first introduced in 2017, after the evacuation of surgical smoke was added to the AORN Policy Agenda for safer workplaces. AORN members and AORN government affairs manager, Danielle Glover, testified about the dangers of surgical smoke in committees of both chambers. The House and Senate bills moved out of committee and passed on the House and Senate floors. Unfortunately, the 2017 Rhode Island General Assembly adjourned before the bills were able to complete the legislative process.

House Health, Education, and Welfare Committee Chairman Joseph McNamara, a longtime champion for nurses, once again joined his colleague, Senator Cynthia Coyne in sponsoring the legislation in the 2018 legislative session. Testimony was provided again this year by RISNA, perioperative nurses and AORN government affairs manager, Danielle Glover.

Keys to Success

A clear strategy with member engagement led to Rhode Island setting this national precedent in the protection and safety of perioperative nurses and their colleagues on the surgical team. The OR is unfamiliar territory for many people, so education about matters impacting patients and perioperative nurses is critical. Several conversations may be required to breakdown the complex issues surrounding surgical smoke evacuation. Much of the education took place prior to the committee hearings during individual meetings with legislators, where there was a chance to deliver more detailed information on the dangers of surgical smoke and evacuation options. Building on the relationships AORN members and chapters generated with legislators over the past few years was also important to the bill’s passage.

While your state may not yet require the elimination of surgical smoke, AORN has long recommended evacuation of surgical smoke. AORN offers several resources to help your facility go smoke free. Please review our Go Clear program for ideas and recommendations to help your facility become smoke free. More information on the evacuation of surgical smoke can be found in our Guidelines for Perioperative Practice and the Management of Smoke Toolkit.

It is critical that local members and AORN work together on legislative efforts. If you are interested in getting involved with AORN’s advocacy efforts in your state, please contact Danielle Glover.