Oregon could be the next state to target surgical smoke — 3 insights for ASCs

Oregon lawmakers could make surgical smoke evacuation policies mandatory, according to the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses.

Three insights for ASCs:

1. HB 2901 would require hospitals and ASCs to use a smoke evacuation system during any surgical procedure that will likely generate surgical smoke. Facilities would also have to adopt smoke evacuation policies.

2. During a May 28 hearing about HB 2901, Salem, Ore.-based Willamette Valley Surgery Center Nurse Administrator Kim Helmer expressed opposition on behalf of the Oregon Ambulatory Surgery Center Association.

Representatives from the Oregon Medical Association and the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems also presented testimony opposing the legislation.

3. Mary Ogg, MSN, RN, senior perioperative practice specialist with AORN, presented scientific research supporting surgical smoke evacuation policies. Perioperative nurses and a surgical technologist shared how surgical smoke has affected their own health, as well as their colleagues' health.

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