08-R360

2008 -- S 3163

Enacted 06/26/08

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

CREATING THE RHODE ISLAND MEDICAL DEVICE REPROCESSING STUDY COMMISSION

Introduced By: Senator Leo R. Blais

Date Introduced: June 26, 2008

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Senate supports high quality of care for those undergoing

medical procedures; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Senate recognizes patients rights to have access to any

pertinent information involved in their healthcare and treatment; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Senate notes that, while advances in medical technology

have made the recycling of medical products and devices practical and safe, legitimate concerns

still remain about the practice; and

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Senate finds that members of the medical community and

representatives of the medical equipment industry have firsthand knowledge of the issues and

concerns relating to the reprocessing of certain medical devices; and

     WHEREAS, A comprehensive review of medical reprocessing procedures, hospital

regulations, and patients' rights, as well as an examination of the health, safety, and cost

implications of reprocessed medical instruments is necessary to ensure a more effective and

responsive health system reuse policy; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That a special Senate commission be and the same is hereby created

consisting of seven (7) members; three (3) of whom shall be from the Senate, not more than two

(2) from the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; one of whom

shall be a representative of a hospital administration, to be appointed by the President of the

Senate; one of whom shall be a representative of the medical equipment industry, to be appointed

by the President of the Senate; and two (2) of whom shall be physicians, to be appointed by the

President of the Senate; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the commission shall report its findings and recommendations to the

Rhode Island Senate no later than January 1, 2009 and said commission shall expire on March 31,

2009.

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LC03276

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