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April 20, 2006
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Vance Introduces Legislation to Encourage Use of Registered Nurse First Assistants in Surgeries 

HARRISBURG – Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFA) would be further encouraged to participate in surgical procedures under legislation recently introduced by Sen. Pat Vance (R-Cumberland/York). 

A RNFA is a registered nurse who provides technical assistance under the direct supervision and direction of an operating surgeon.  They perform a number of functions relating to a patient's care from the time of surgery to discharge.

"This legislation is needed in response to the changing dynamics of staffing surgical procedures in hospitals," Vance said. "Current practice dictates that a surgical assistant be present during all surgical procedures, and this need has increasingly been served by Registered Nurse First Assistants, who have received additional education and training in peri-operative procedures." 

Previously residents frequently performed as surgical assistants. However, fewer residents are now used because of changes in federal funding for residency programs and efforts to limit the hours a resident is on duty. 

Senate Bill 1198 would authorize an insurance company to directly reimburse a RNFA who assists a surgeon during surgery. 

"Because of their specialized training, Registered Nurse First Assistants are able to provide cost-effective care without compromising patient safety or quality of care," Vance said. "Many times a surgeon will contract directly with an independent RNFA to assist him or her in the operating room/ This bill would encourage Registered Nurse First Assistant to participate in these type of relationships by allowing them to directly bill the insurance company, provided this is a covered procedure, rather than billing the provider, who in turn bills the insurance company." 

Language is included in the legislation to make sure there is no duplication of services, and insurance companies are not billed twice for the same procedure. 

The bill was referred to the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. 

Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.

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