HB 18-1399

House Bill 18-1399 in Colorado requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to create policies that protect staff and patients from surgical smoke. Surgical smoke is a harmful byproduct created during surgeries by certain medical devices. The bill also mandates the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to establish rules about these policies by March 1, 2019. These new safety measures will apply to all surgical procedures starting July 1, 2019. Since the status is "signed," this means that the bill has been approved and signed into law, so hospitals and centers must now start implementing these protections against surgical smoke.

Official Summary

The bill requires hospitals with surgical services and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt a policy to prevent human exposure to surgical smoke. Surgical smoke is a gaseous byproduct produced by energy-generating surgical medical devices. On or before March 1, 2019, the Colorado department of public health and environment shall promulgate rules regarding requirements for surgical smoke evacuation policies. A policy adopted in accordance with the bill applies to surgical procedures performed on or after July 1, 2019.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.) , Read More