(1) "Health care facility" means a hospital or an ambulatory surgical center, as those terms are defined in ORS 442.015.
(2) "Rural or medically underserved community" means a geographic area of this state that is 10 or more miles from the geographic center of a population center of 40,000 or more individuals.
(3) "Surgical technology" means intraoperative surgical patient care that involves:
(a) Preparing an operating room for surgical procedures by ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely;
(b) Preparing an operating room and the sterile field for surgical procedures by preparing sterile supplies, instruments and equipment using sterile techniques;
(c) Anticipating the needs of a surgical team based on knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology and how those fields relate to the surgical patient and the patient’s surgical procedure; and
(d) Performing tasks as directed in an operating room, including:
(A) Passing instruments, equipment or supplies;
(B) Sponging or suctioning of an operative site;
(C) Preparing and cutting suture material;
(D) Transferring fluids or drugs;
(E) Handling specimens;
(F) Holding retractors and other equipment;
(G) Applying electrocautery to clamps on bleeders;
(H) Connecting drains to suction apparatus;
(I) Applying dressings to closed wounds; and
(J) Assisting in counting supplies and instruments, including sponges and needles. [2015 c.373 §1]