As used in ORS 676.870 to 676.890:

1. (1) “Health care facility” means a hospital or an ambulatory surgical center, as those terms are defined in ORS 442.015.
2. (2) “Rural or medically underserved community” means a geographic area of this state that is 10 or more miles from the geographic center of a population center of 40,000 or more individuals.

3. (3) “Surgical technology” means intraoperative surgical patient care that involves:

   1. (a) Preparing an operating room for surgical procedures by ensuring that surgical equipment is functioning properly and safely;
   2. (b) Preparing an operating room and the sterile field for surgical procedures by preparing sterile supplies, instruments and equipment using sterile techniques;
   3. (c) Anticipating the needs of a surgical team based on knowledge of human anatomy and pathophysiology and how those fields relate to the surgical patient and the patient’s surgical procedure; and

   4. (d) Performing tasks as directed in an operating room, including:

      1. (A) Passing instruments, equipment or supplies;
      2. (B) Sponging or suctioning of an operative site;
      3. (C) Preparing and cutting suture material;
      4. (D) Transferring fluids or drugs;
      5. (E) Handling specimens;
      6. (F) Holding retractors and other equipment;
      7. (G) Applying electrocautery to clamps on bleeders;
      8. (H) Connecting drains to suction apparatus;
      9. (I) Applying dressings to closed wounds; and
      10. (J) Assisting in counting supplies and instruments, including sponges and needles.

[2015 c.373 §1]