(A) As used in this section, an "operating room circulator" means a registered nurse trained, educated, or experienced in perioperative nursing who is responsible for coordinating the nursing care and safety needs of a patient in the operating room and who also meets the needs of the operating room team members during surgery.
(B) An operating room circulator in a health care facility must be a licensed registered nurse educated, trained, and experienced in perioperative nursing.
(C) A surgical technologist may not serve as the circulator in the operating room of a health care facility; however, a person who is employed to practice surgical technology in a health care facility may assist in the performance of circulating duties:
(1) consistent with the person's education, training, and experience; and
(2) as assigned and supervised by a registered nurse circulator who must be present in the operating room for the duration of the surgical procedure.
HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 95, Section 1, eff January 1, 2008.