Chapter 487

2016 -- S 2469 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED Enacted 07/15/2016

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

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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

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

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

following definitions apply in this section:

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

Island who is educated and trained in perioperative nursing.

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

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

reflexes or self-care abilities are potentially compromised during surgical procedures.

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

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

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

for the duration of each surgical procedure to:

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

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

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

compliance with this section.

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

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LC004647/SUB A

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