Pennsylvania Statutes Title 35 P.S. Health and Safety § 449.222. Definitions

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Ambulatory surgical facility.”  As defined in section 802.1 of the act of July 19, 1979 (P.L. 130, No. 48),  1 known as the Health Care Facilities Act.

“Central service technician.”  An individual who provides the services of inspecting, assembling, decontamination, preparation, packaging and sterilization of reusable medical instruments or devices being used by a health care facility.

“Department.”  The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

“Health care facility.”  A hospital, ambulatory surgical facility or freestanding surgical outpatient facility.

“Health care practitioner.”  As defined in section 103   2 of the Health Care Facilities Act.

“Hospital.”  As defined in section 802.1 of the Health Care Facilities Act.

“Surgical technologist.”  An individual who is employed or contracted by a health care facility to perform surgical technology tasks and functions as directed.

“Surgical technology.”  Surgical patient care that includes, but is not limited to, performing the following perioperative tasks or functions as directed:

(1) preparing the operating room and the sterile operating field for surgical procedures by ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely and using sterile techniques to prepare supplies, instruments and equipment;

(2) assisting the surgeon with placing sterile drapes on the patient to establish the sterile operating field;

(3) participating in the time-out process of verifying the correct patient, procedure and surgical site;

(4) anticipating the needs of the surgeon, based on knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology, by preparing and passing instruments and supplies during a surgical procedure;

(5) sponging and suctioning the operative site;

(6) preparing and cutting suture material;

(7) preparing and pouring irrigation solutions during a surgical procedure;

(8) preparing and passing medications and hemostatic agents during a surgical procedure but not administering drugs;

(9) preparing and passing off specimens;

(10) holding retractors or other instruments;

(11) applying electrocautery to clamps or forceps on bleeding vessels;

(12) connecting drains to suction apparatuses;

(13) preparing and applying sterile dressings to closed wounds;

(14) performing counts of sponges, needles, supplies and instruments with a registered nurse circulator;

(15) cleaning and preparing instruments for sterilization upon completion of a surgical procedure;

(16) assisting with transferring the patient to and positioning the patient on the operating table;  and

(17) maintaining the highest standard of sterile techniques, including identifying and correcting breaks in the sterile operating field.