2016 -- S 2469 SUBSTITUTE A

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LC004647/SUB A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LICENSING OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES --

CIRCULATING NURSES

     

     Introduced By: Senators Coyne, Goldin, Miller, Doyle, and Pearson

     Date Introduced: February 11, 2016

     Referred To: Senate Health & Human Services

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 23-17 of the General Laws entitled "Licensing of Health Care

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Facilities" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     23-17-63. Patient safety -- Circulating nurses required in operating rooms. -- (a) The

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following definitions apply in this section:

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     (1) "Circulating nurse" means registered nurse licensed to practice in the state of Rhode

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Island who is educated and trained in perioperative nursing.

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     (2) "Perioperative nursing" means specialized area of nursing practice that involves the

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planning, coordination, delivery, and evaluation of nursing care to patients whose protective

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reflexes or self-care abilities are potentially compromised during surgical or other invasive

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procedures.

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     (b) In order to enhance patient safety and protection, each hospital and freestanding

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ambulatory surgical facility licensed in the state of Rhode Island shall adopt policies and

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procedures to have a minimum of one circulating nurse physically present in each operating room

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for the duration of each surgical procedure to:

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     (1) Coordinate the nursing care and safety needs of patients in the operating room; and

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     (2) Support the surgical team as appropriate during surgery.

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     (c) The department of health shall not issue or renew a license unless the applicant is in

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compliance with this section.

 

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on October 1, 2016.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- LICENSING OF HEALTH CARE FACILITIES --

CIRCULATING NURSES

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     This act would require hospital and freestanding ambulatory surgical facility operating

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rooms to have at least one circulating nurse present in each operating room during each surgical

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procedure.

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     This act would take effect on October 1, 2016.

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