HB 27
An Act amending the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L.130, No.48), known as the Health Care Facilities Act, in licensing of health care facilities, providing for surgical smoke evacuation systems.
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Sign in to take action- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill amends Pennsylvania’s Health Care Facilities Act to require ambulatory surgical facilities and hospitals to implement policies to mitigate exposure to surgical smoke. Facilities must adopt a surgical smoke mitigation policy, consulting with their surgical team, and utilize a smoke evacuation system suitable for their procedures. The bill defines key terms related to surgical smoke and evacuation systems.
Key provisions
- Ambulatory surgical facilities and hospitals must adopt surgical smoke mitigation policies.
- Policies must be developed in consultation with the surgical team.
- Facilities must use a smoke evacuation system for procedures that generate surgical smoke.
- The system must be suitable for the facility’s procedures and patient safety.
- Definitions of ‘smoke evacuation system’ and ‘surgical smoke’ are established.
Who is affected
- Ambulatory surgical facilities
- Hospitals
- Surgical teams
- Operating room personnel
- Patients undergoing surgical procedures
Notable changes
- Requires the implementation of surgical smoke evacuation systems.
- Establishes a timeline for adoption (January 1, 2026).
- Mandates consultation with the surgical team in developing mitigation policies.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Benjamin Sanchez
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