Reps. Benefield and Gagliardi acknowledged that incidents involving surgical techs with possible drug addiction background were few, but the registry would prevent such healthcare workers from being given a “second chance to endanger patients” in Colorado, according to the commentary.
The new bill requires surgical techs to be registered with the state before they can work with patients, which is the case with occupational therapists and other medical professionals who work with patients and have access to narcotics, according to the commentary. Employers would then use the registry to check an applicant’s standing before assigning them to see patients. The bill would also require employers to report, within two weeks, to the state if a surgical tech is disciplined or fired.
Reps. Benefield and Gagliardi said that the registry would help hospitals and surgery centers to avoid unknowingly hiring a person with a criminal background or history of violating patient safety. The bill would also enable state agencies to better work together to identify repeat offenders and prevent them from working with patients, according to the commentary.
Read the commentary about the proposed Colorado surgical tech registry.
