Tennessee Health Committee Hears Surgical Smoke Bill

Tennessee SB 1997, a bill to require hospitals and ASCs in the state to have a policy to evacuate surgical smoke, was heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Wednesday, February 26. Sponsor Senator Janice Bowling began the presentation with a summary of provisions in the bill.

Mary Ogg, MSN, RN, CNOR, AORN’s Senior Perioperative Practice Specialist and Jennifer Pennock, MS, Senior Manager of Government Affairs testified in support of the bill and provided committee members with a demonstration on surgical smoke. The Tennessee Hospital Association testified in opposition to the bill and submitted a letter of opposition from the Tennessee State Chapter of the American College of Surgeons.

At the conclusion of the hearing, SB 1997 was scheduled for a committee vote on March 11. The bill’s counterpart in the Tennessee House, HB 2019, is scheduled for a vote in the Tennessee House Health Subcommittee on Facilities, Licensure, & Regulations on Tuesday, March 10. Please contact Jennifer Pennock to get involved and share your story about the hazardous impact of surgical smoke with your Tennessee legislators.