GA SB347

Hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers in Georgia would be required to adopt and implement policies preventing human exposure to surgical smoke during any surgical or invasive procedure likely to generate it.

"Surgical smoke" is defined as the gaseous by-product of tools or heat-producing equipment used for dissection and hemostasis, containing infectious bacteria, viruses, toxins, mutagens, carcinogens, and allergens.

Facilities must use a surgical smoke evacuation system—equipment designed to capture and neutralize surgical smoke at the point of origin—to protect both patients and health care workers.

Amends Chapter 7 of Title 31 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated by adding new Code Section 31-7-23 under the regulation of hospitals and related institutions.