ORS 678.362: Circulating nurses; duties.

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Circulating nurse” means a registered nurse who is responsible for coordinating the nursing care and safety needs of the patient in the operating room and who also meets the needs of operating room team members during surgery. (b) “Ambulatory surgical center” has the meaning given that term in ORS 442.015. (2)(a) The duties of a circulating nurse performed in an operating room of an ambulatory surgical center or a hospital shall be performed by a registered nurse licensed under ORS 678.010 to 678.415. (b) In any case requiring general anesthesia, a circulating nurse shall be assigned to, and present in, an operating room for the duration of the surgical procedure unless it becomes necessary for the circulating nurse to leave the operating room as part of the surgical procedure. While assigned to a surgical procedure, a circulating nurse may not be assigned to any other patient or procedure. (c) Nothing in this section precludes a circulating nurse from being relieved during a surgical procedure by another circulating nurse assigned to continue the surgical procedure. (3) At the request of an ambulatory surgical center or a hospital, the Oregon Health Authority may grant a variance from the requirements of this section based on patient care needs or the nursing practices of the surgical center or hospital. [2005 c.665 §3; 2009 c.595 §1059; 2019 c.231 §1] (Registered Nurse First Assistants)