SURGICAL SMOKE PLUME EVAC PLAN S.B. 443:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 443 (as reported without amendment)
SURGICAL SMOKE PLUME EVAC PLAN S.B. 443:
SUMMARY OF BILL
REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE
Senate Bill 443 (as reported without amendment)
CONTENT
The bill would amend Article 17 (Facilities and Agencies) of the Public Health Code to require a health facility or agency that provided a surgical procedure using heat-producing equipment that was likely to generate surgical smoke plume to develop and implement a policy that requires the use of a surgical smoke plume evacuation system during the procedure.
"Surgical procedure using heat-producing equipment" would mean any of the following:
-- A procedure that uses an electric current to cut, remove, or destroy tissue and control bleeding.
-- A procedure using a laser.
-- Any other procedure that uses heat-generating surgical instruments.
"Surgical smoke plume" would mean a vapor, gas, or harmful particle produced as a byproduct of a surgical procedure using heat-producing equipment.
"Surgical smoke plume evacuation system" would mean a dedicated device that is designed to capture, transport, filter, and neutralize surgical smoke plume at the site of origin and before surgical smoke plume can make ocular contact or contact with the respiratory tract of an individual.
BRIEF RATIONALE
According to testimony, surgical smoke is a dangerous by-product created by heat-generating surgical tools. These tools are used in many surgical procedures, including C-sections, mastectomies, and knee replacements. Operating room staff are exposed to this smoke daily, which can have health effects. Accordingly, requiring smoke evacuation systems to be used in conjunction with these surgical tools to protect operating room teams and patients has been suggested.
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Date Completed: 10-29-25 Analyst: Nathan Leaman
floor\sb443 Bill Analysis @ www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.