CHAPTER 2. PRACTICING SURGICAL TECHNOLOGY
IC 25-36.1-2
Chapter 2. Practicing Surgical Technology
IC 25-36.1-2-1
"Health care facility"
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "health care facility" means the
following:
(1) A hospital that is licensed under IC 16-21-2.
(2) An ambulatory outpatient surgical center licensed under
IC 16-21-2.
(3) A birthing center licensed under IC 16-21-2.
(4) An abortion clinic licensed under IC 16-21-2.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.
IC 25-36.1-2-2
"Operating room circulator"
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "operating room circulator" means
an individual who is:
(1) licensed as a registered nurse under IC 25-23;
(2) educated, trained, and experienced in perioperative nursing,
as determined by the health care facility; and
(3) responsible for coordinating all nursing care, patient safety
needs, and needs of the surgical team in the operating room
during a surgical procedure.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.
IC 25-36.1-2-3
"Surgical technology"
Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "surgical technology" means
intraoperative surgical patient care that involves the following:
(1) Preparing the operating room for surgical procedures by:
(A) ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly
and safely; and
(B) preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment
using sterile technique.
(2) Anticipating the needs of the surgical team based on
knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology relating to
the surgical patient and the patient's surgical procedure.
(3) Performing tasks in an operating room setting in the sterile
field, including the following:
(A) Passing supplies, equipment, or instruments.
(B) Suctioning or sponging an operative site.
(C) Preparing and cutting suture material.
(D) Transferring and irrigating with fluids.
(E) Transferring, without administering, drugs within the
sterile field.
(F) Handling specimens.
(G) Holding retractors.
(H) Assisting in counting sponges, needles, supplies, and
instruments with an operating room circulator as allowed
under section 6 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.
IC 25-36.1-2-4
Licensed practitioners acting within scope of practice not
prohibited
Sec. 4. This chapter does not prohibit a licensed practitioner from
performing surgical technology functions if the practitioner is acting
within the scope of the practitioner's license.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.
IC 25-36.1-2-5
Requirements to practice surgical technology in a health care
facility
Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in section 4 of this chapter, an
individual may not practice surgical technology in a health care
facility unless the individual meets one (1) of the following
requirements:
(1) Is certified under IC 25-36.1-1.
(2) Has completed a surgical technology program provided by
the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or
Coast Guard, or the commissioned corps of the United States
Public Health Service.
(3) Provides evidence to the health care facility that the
individual was employed to practice surgical technology in a
health care facility before July 1, 2009.
(4) Is performing duties related to the individual's employment
by the federal government.
(5) Is practicing surgical technology during the twelve (12)
month period immediately following the completion of a degree
from an accredited school of surgical technology.
(6) Has the appropriate abilities, as determined by the health
care facility.
(b) An individual who is:
(1) described in subsection (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3); and
(2) practicing surgical technology in a health care facility;
annually shall complete fifteen (15) hours of continuing education
concerning surgical technology in order to continue practicing
surgical technology.
(c) An individual who wants to practice surgical technology in a
health care facility is responsible for establishing to the satisfaction
of the health care facility that the individual has complied with this
section.
(d) An individual practicing surgical technology in a health care
facility is responsible for immediately notifying in writing the
governing body of the health care facility, or the governing body's
designee, of any changes in the individual's compliance with this
section.
(e) A health care facility shall maintain copies of any written
documentation provided by the individual to the health care facility
under subsection (c) or (d) to show compliance with this section.
(f) This chapter does not require a health care facility to permit an
individual described in subsection (a) to perform surgical technology
services at the health care facility.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.
IC 25-36.1-2-6
Assistance to an operating room circulator requirements; presence
of operating room circulator
Sec. 6. (a) An individual described in section 5(a) of this chapter
may assist an operating room circulator in performing circulating
duties if the individual:
(1) has the necessary education, training, and experience, as
determined by the health care facility; and
(2) is:
(A) assigned to perform the tasks by the health care facility;
and
(B) supervised;
by the operating room circulator.
(b) An operating room circulator that is being assisted by an
individual described in section 5(a) of this chapter shall be present
in the operating room for the duration of the surgical procedure.
However, the operating room circulator may leave the operating
room for short periods of time as prescribed by the health care
facility's policies.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.