17-95-1002. Definitions.

Arkansas Code — all titles (historical 2020) · legal_authorities

17-95-1002. Definitions.

17-95-1002. Definitions. As used in this subchapter: (1) “Surgical technologist” means an individual who performs the skills and techniques of surgical technology under the direction and supervision of a licensed practitioner other than in the course of practicing as a licensed healthcare professional; and (2) “Surgical technology” means surgical patient care that includes without limitation: (A) Preparing an operating room and a sterile field for surgical procedures by ensuring that surgical equipment is assembled and functioning properly and safely; (B) Preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipment using sterile technique; (C) Performing tasks in a sterile field, including: (i) Maintaining asepsis and a sterile operating field; (ii) Passing supplies, equipment, or instruments according to the needs of the surgical team; (iii) Sponging or suctioning an operative site; (iv) Preparing and cutting suture material; (v) Providing irrigation solutions to the supervising physician and irrigating an operative site; (vi) Providing drugs within the sterile field for administration by the supervising physician; (vii) Handling specimens; (viii) Holding retractors and other instruments; (ix) Applying electrocautery to clamps on blood vessels; (x) Connecting drains to a suction apparatus; (xi) Applying dressings to closed wounds; and (xii) Performing counts of supplies such as sponges, needles, and instruments with the registered nurse circulator; and (D) The practice of surgical technology is a separate and distinct healthcare profession that does not include the practice of surgical assisting as performed by physician assistants, surgical assistants, or first assistants.

Source: Arkansas Code — historical release 78 (November 6, 2020) · 17-95-1002

Stored review status: Historical 2020-11-06 source release; later amendments not reconciled; machine-extracted, not independently legally reviewed; source heading status: text_in_historical_source. A text match is a research starting point; applicability is not established.