Oregon Senate Health Committee Hears Testimony on Surgical Smoke

Surgical team advocates in Oregon came together on November 20 for a hearing in front of the Oregon Senate Committee on Health. There were no votes scheduled during the informational hearing, but it was an opportunity for AORN and our supporters to make the case for passing a surgical smoke evacuation bill in 2020. The full hearing is available for viewing online.

Oregon’s surgical smoke evacuation bill faces a couple of big hurdles in the coming months, and we need your help. The Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has reported very few complaints about the issue of surgical smoke, leading legislators and others to express concern that surgical smoke is not enough of a problem to address it by passing legislation.

If you have recent examples of your dangerous work environment – due to surgical smoke – Oregon OSHA needs to hear from you that this is a problem. Complaints can be filed online anonymously, and Oregon OSHA will provide updates as they investigate your complaints. Absent OSHA receiving complaints about the danger to your health and safety in your workplace, legislation may be deemed unnecessary.

AORN and our advocates have actively engaged in legislative and stakeholder meetings throughout the year. Legislators need to hear from you, your friends, your family and your colleagues that this is an issue you care about. An argument has been made that gives the perception that this legislation is only of interest to interest groups and not to all Oregonians. A 2020 bill draft has been requested and will be available by mid-January. At that time, we will be asking you, your friends, family and colleagues to contact their legislators to urge them to support the 2020 Surgical Smoke Evacuation bill.

On February 4, 2020, AORN is hosting a Smoke Free OR Day at the Capitol in Salem. This day-long event will be an opportunity on the second day of the 2020 session to show mass support for smoke evacuation legislation and be recognized by legislators for your contributions to patient health and safety in the OR. You and your surgical team colleagues are invited to register online for this important advocacy event.

Have questions about the legislation, Oregon OSHA or how else to get involved in our advocacy efforts? Contact Jennifer Pennock, AORN Senior Manager of Government Affairs.