Surgical Technology Definitions

For the purposes of 105 CMR 140.621, the following terms have the following meanings: Operating Room Circulator. A licensed registered nurse who is educated, trained and experienced in perioperative nursing, who is immediately available to physically intervene in providing care to a surgical patient. Surgical Technologist. Any person who provides surgical technology services who is not licensed or registered under M.G.L. c. 112, §§ 2, 16, 74 or 74A, or who is not an intern, resident, fellow or medical officer who conducts or assists with the performance of surgery. Surgical Technology. Surgical patient care including, but not limited to, one or more of the following: 140.620: continued (1) collaboration with an operating room circulator prior to a surgical procedure to carry out the plan of care bypreparing the operating room, gathering and preparing sterile supplies, instruments and equipment, preparing and maintaining the sterile field using sterile and aseptic technique and ensuring surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely; (2) intraoperative anticipation and response to the needs of a surgeon and other team members by monitoring the sterile field and providing the required instruments or supplies; (3) performance of tasks at the sterile field, as directed in an operating room setting, including: (a) passing supplies, equipment or instruments; (b) sponging or suctioning an operative site; (c) preparing and cutting suture material; (d) transferring and irrigating with fluids; (e) transferring, but not administering, drugs within the sterile field; (f) handling specimens; (g) holding retractors; and (h) assisting in counting sponges, needles, supplies and instruments with an operating room circulator.