Scope of Practice of Surgical Technologists

1. Law
2. Tennessee Code
3. Health, Safety and Environmental Protection
4. Surgical Technologists
5. Scope of Practice of Surgical Technologists

For the purposes of this chapter, “surgical technologist” means one who works under supervision to facilitate the safe and effective conduct of invasive surgical procedures. This individual is usually employed by a hospital, medical office, or surgical center and supervised during the surgical procedure according to institutional policy and procedure to assist in providing a safe operating room environment that maximizes patient safety by performing certain tasks, including, but not limited to:

1. Preparation of the operating room and the sterile field for surgical procedures by preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment using sterile technique;
2. Preparation of the operating room for surgical procedures by ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely; and
3. Passing instruments, equipment or supplies to a surgeon, sponging or suctioning an operative site, preparing and cutting suture material, holding retractors, transferring but not administering fluids or drugs, assisting in counting sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments, and performing other similar tasks as directed during a surgical procedure.

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