AB 261

This bill prohibits hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers from employing or otherwise retaining any individual to perform surgical technology services unless the individual is qualified as provided in the bill. “Surgical technology” is defined under the bill to mean surgical patient care and includes: 1) collaboration with a team of health care providers prior to a surgical procedure to carry out the plan of care by performing certain preparatory tasks; 2) intraoperative anticipation and response to the needs of a surgeon and other team members in the operating room by monitoring the sterile field and providing the required instruments or supplies in the sterile field; and 3) performance of tasks in the sterile field as directed in an operating room setting, including passing supplies, equipment, or instruments; sponging or suctioning an operative site; preparing and cutting suture material; handling specimens; and holding retractors.

To qualify to perform surgical technology services under the bill, an individual must satisfy one of several possible criteria, including 1) successfully completing a training program for surgical technology in connection with the individual’s military service, or 2) successfully completing an accredited educational program for surgical technologists and holding and maintaining a certification as a surgical technologist from a national and accredited certifying body. The bill provides that a hospital or ambulatory surgical center may employ or otherwise retain the services of an individual to perform surgical technology services during the 24-month period that immediately follows the individual’s successful completion of an educational program for surgical technologists. The bill provides that these requirements do not apply to a licensed health care provider who may provide surgical technology services within their scope of practice. Further, the bill provides that a hospital or ambulatory surgical center may establish additional requirements for any individual who performs surgical technology services as a condition of employment or contract.