Call to Action! RE: Surgical Smoke WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING
Posted over 2 years ago by Cassandra Eilers in Call To Action
This announcement has 2 attachments:
S.B. 89, An Act Concerning Surgical Smoke, has a public hearing scheduled on MONDAY 3/7/22, beginning at 9am.
We are collecting testimony and letters of support for this legislation.
As with cigarette smoke, surgical smoke can be seen and smelled. It is the result of human tissue being cut with mechanical tools and/or heat-producing devices, such as lasers and electro-surgery pencils commonly used for dissection and hemostasis. In other words, it's the smoke from burning flesh. An estimated 90% of all surgical procedures - including such common surgeries as cesarean sections, mastectomies, knee replacements and appendectomies - generate surgical smoke.
In the room where we are saving lives, we are risking our own. A single day working in an operating room without smoke evacuation is equivalent to inhaling the smoke of 27-30 unfiltered cigarettes. This must change.
The Connecticut Legislature has an opportunity to pass legislation - SB89 - that would ensure the health and safety of staff and patients through mandating evacuation of surgical smoke through requiring hospitals and surgery centers to adopt smoke free policies.
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Hello,
I am new to the OR and have encountered surgical smoke with ALL surgical procedures from minor to extensive surgeries. I am looking forward to have a long lasting career in the OR as a Nurse Circulator but due to personal experience and scientific evidence regarding the dangers of surgical smoke I highly doubt I will be able to reach my goals. Surgical smoke posses a great threat and health problem amongst everyone in the OR. I have started to get more migraine headaches since starting in the OR since November 2021. It’s imperative that this bill is passed in order to protect our healthcare life’s. There is a shortage of Nurses in the OR as it is and by instituting Smoke Evaluation law this will help improve the longevity of OR Nursing Career.
Please pass the Smoke evacuation bill.
Thank you,
Neluzca Vasquez
Neluzca,
Please see the testimony template attached above. I'm not sure if there is still time to submit it since the hearing is Monday, but there is no harm in trying! Thank you so much for your message! I am completely on board with you.
Sincerely,
Fauve Cortese
There is time to submit written Testimony! I will be collecting up until the end of the day on Monday. Thank you Neluzca for the testimony you have submitted, I heard from our National Government Affairs Director that it was received.
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