WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1718

TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR SURGICAL SMOKE EVACUATION IN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES LICENSED IN THIS STATE.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Zack Gramlich

HB 1718 aimed to require smoke evacuation systems in Arkansas healthcare facilities using energy devices, enhancing safety for patients and surgical teams by reducing harmful smoke exposure.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1718

Summary of House Bill 1718

Bill Information

  • Bill Number: HB 1718
  • Title: To Establish Standards for Surgical Smoke Evacuation in Healthcare Facilities Licensed in This State
  • Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment
  • Introduced: March 10, 2025
  • Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1718 aimed to establish specific standards for the evacuation of surgical smoke in healthcare facilities across Arkansas. The bill sought to enhance patient and staff safety during surgical procedures that utilize energy-generating devices, which can produce harmful smoke and airborne contaminants.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed the following key provisions:

  1. Definitions:

    • Energy-generating device: A tool that performs surgical functions using heat, laser, electricity, or other forms of energy.
    • Smoke evacuation system: Equipment designed to capture and neutralize surgical smoke at its source, preventing it from affecting the surgical team and patients. This system is not required to be linked to existing surgical ventilation or medical gas systems.
    • Surgical smoke: The gaseous by-products generated by energy-generating devices, including laser plumes and bio-aerosols.

  2. Mandatory Use of Smoke Evacuation Systems:

    • All licensed healthcare facilities in Arkansas that utilize energy-generating devices must implement a smoke evacuation system during surgical procedures likely to produce surgical smoke.

  3. Enforcement:

    • The State Board of Health and the Department of Health would have the authority to take necessary actions against any healthcare facility that violates these standards.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1718 would have affected:
- Healthcare Facilities: All licensed facilities using energy-generating devices would need to comply with the new standards, potentially requiring updates to their surgical protocols and equipment.
- Healthcare Workers and Patients: The implementation of smoke evacuation systems would aim to reduce exposure to harmful surgical smoke, thereby improving safety and health outcomes for both surgical teams and patients.

Legislative Timeline

  • March 10, 2025: Bill filed and read for the first time; rules suspended for a second reading and referral to the Public Health, Welfare, and Labor Committee.
  • May 5, 2025: The bill died in the House Committee at Sine Die adjournment, meaning it did not progress to a vote or further consideration.

In summary, while HB 1718 was designed to enhance safety standards in surgical environments, it ultimately did not advance through the legislative process.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.