Robb Blasdel Introduces Bill to Protect Healthcare Workers and Patients from Harmful Surgical Smoke Exposure

State Rep. Monica Robb Blasdel (R-Columbiana County) has introduced a bill aimed at protecting healthcare workers and patients from harmful surgical smoke exposure. Robb Blasdel spoke to the bill during its first committee hearing today.

“This legislation will provide overdue protection to operating room staff and patients in our state,” Robb Blasdel said. “With our world-class medical institutions, Ohio is a destination state for surgeries, and it is imperative that we uphold the highest standards of purity in our operating rooms.”

Each year, over 500,000 healthcare workers in the United States are exposed to surgical smoke, which results from the destruction of tissue by lasers and electrosurgical devices. The smoke contains viruses, bacteria, toxic gases, blood fragments, and cellular material that can cause respiratory health complications and even transmit diseases, such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

To combat these hazards, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Dr. Kay Ball of Otterbein University recommend using equipment designed to capture, filter, and eliminate surgical smoke before it makes contact with the eyes or respiratory tract of individuals. Small, portable evacuation and filtration devices are typically employed in hospitals to accomplish this goal.

House Bill 104 requires Ohio’s hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt and implement a policy designed to prevent human exposure to surgical smoke. The legislation will provide overdue protection to operating room staff and patients in the state. 

Eleven other states have enacted similar legislation, and a growing number of legislatures around the country are hearing surgical smoke bills. 

“Ohio must continue to lead the country in health care quality and innovation and enact this legislation now,” Robb Blasdel added. “The bill underscores the state's commitment to upholding the highest standards of healthcare quality and innovation.”