IC 25-36.1-2
    Chapter 2. Practicing Surgical Technology

IC 25-36.1-2-1
"Health care facility"
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "health care facility" means thefollowing:
        (1) A hospital that is licensed under IC 16-21-2.
        (2) An ambulatory outpatient surgical center licensed underIC 16-21-2.
        (3) A birthing center licensed under IC 16-21-2.
        (4) An abortion clinic licensed under IC 16-21-2.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.

IC 25-36.1-2-2
"Operating room circulator"
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "operating room circulator" meansan individual who is:
        (1) licensed as a registered nurse under IC 25-23;
        (2) educated, trained, and experienced in perioperative nursing,as determined by the health care facility; and
        (3) responsible for coordinating all nursing care, patient safetyneeds, and needs of the surgical team in the operating roomduring a surgical procedure.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.

IC 25-36.1-2-3
"Surgical technology"
    Sec. 3. As used in this chapter, "surgical technology" meansintraoperative surgical patient care that involves the following:
        (1) Preparing the operating room for surgical procedures by:
            (A) ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properlyand safely; and
            (B) preparing sterile supplies, instruments, and equipmentusing sterile technique.
        (2) Anticipating the needs of the surgical team based onknowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology relating tothe surgical patient and the patient's surgical procedure.
        (3) Performing tasks in an operating room setting in the sterilefield, including the following:
            (A) Passing supplies, equipment, or instruments.
            (B) Suctioning or sponging an operative site.
            (C) Preparing and cutting suture material.
            (D) Transferring and irrigating with fluids.
            (E) Transferring, without administering, drugs within thesterile field.
            (F) Handling specimens.
            (G) Holding retractors.
            (H) Assisting in counting sponges, needles, supplies, andinstruments with an operating room circulator as allowed

under section 6 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.

IC 25-36.1-2-4
Licensed practitioners acting within scope of practice notprohibited
    Sec. 4. This chapter does not prohibit a licensed practitioner fromperforming surgical technology functions if the practitioner is actingwithin the scope of the practitioner's license.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.

IC 25-36.1-2-5
Requirements to practice surgical technology in a health carefacility
    Sec. 5. (a) Except as provided in section 4 of this chapter, anindividual may not practice surgical technology in a health carefacility unless the individual meets one (1) of the followingrequirements:
        (1) Is certified under IC 25-36.1-1.
        (2) Has completed a surgical technology program provided bythe United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, orCoast Guard, or the commissioned corps of the United StatesPublic Health Service.
        (3) Provides evidence to the health care facility that theindividual was employed to practice surgical technology in ahealth care facility before July 1, 2009.
        (4) Is performing duties related to the individual's employmentby the federal government.
        (5) Is practicing surgical technology during the twelve (12)month period immediately following the completion of a degreefrom an accredited school of surgical technology.
        (6) Has the appropriate abilities, as determined by the healthcare facility.
    (b) An individual who is:
        (1) described in subsection (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3); and
        (2) practicing surgical technology in a health care facility;
annually shall complete fifteen (15) hours of continuing educationconcerning surgical technology in order to continue practicingsurgical technology.
    (c) An individual who wants to practice surgical technology in ahealth care facility is responsible for establishing to the satisfactionof the health care facility that the individual has complied with thissection.
    (d) An individual practicing surgical technology in a health carefacility is responsible for immediately notifying in writing thegoverning body of the health care facility, or the governing body'sdesignee, of any changes in the individual's compliance with thissection.
    (e) A health care facility shall maintain copies of any writtendocumentation provided by the individual to the health care facility

under subsection (c) or (d) to show compliance with this section.
    (f) This chapter does not require a health care facility to permit anindividual described in subsection (a) to perform surgical technologyservices at the health care facility.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.

IC 25-36.1-2-6
Assistance to an operating room circulator requirements; presenceof operating room circulator
    Sec. 6. (a) An individual described in section 5(a) of this chaptermay assist an operating room circulator in performing circulatingduties if the individual:
        (1) has the necessary education, training, and experience, asdetermined by the health care facility; and
        (2) is:
            (A) assigned to perform the tasks by the health care facility;and
            (B) supervised;
        by the operating room circulator.
    (b) An operating room circulator that is being assisted by anindividual described in section 5(a) of this chapter shall be presentin the operating room for the duration of the surgical procedure.However, the operating room circulator may leave the operatingroom for short periods of time as prescribed by the health carefacility's policies.
As added by P.L.97-2009, SEC.1.