Hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities in Pennsylvania are now required to have a circulating nurse in the OR during all procedures performed with general anesthesia or deep sedation under a new law signed by Gov. Ed Rendell this week.
The law, which takes effect in 60 days, states that "only a registered nurse, licensed in [Pennsylvania], qualified by training and experience in operating room nursing shall function as a circulating nurse" during procedures performed "under general anesthesia or deep sedation in a healthcare facility's operating room."
"Thirty-eight other states require a circulating nurse in the operating room when sedation is necessary. While many Pennsylvania hospitals have already taken this precaution, it was not universally required until now," says state Rep. Mauree Gingrich, who sponsored the bill. "Countless lives have been, and will be, protected due to the oversight provided by circulating nurses in operating rooms."
The requirement applies to all hospitals and "class C ambulatory surgical facilities." It passed unanimously in both the state House and Senate before reaching the governor's desk this week.
Irene Tsikitas
