The bill S. 170, introduced in the South Carolina General Assembly, aims to enhance safety in surgical environments by mandating the use of smoke evacuation systems in licensed facilities. Specifically, it adds Section 44-7-387 to the South Carolina Code of Laws, which defines "surgical smoke" as the gaseous by-product from energy-generating devices used in surgeries, and outlines the requirements for a "smoke evacuation system" that captures and filters this smoke before it can affect surgical staff and patients. The bill stipulates that hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities must adopt and implement policies to ensure the use of these systems during procedures likely to generate surgical smoke.

The legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, providing a timeline for facilities to comply with the new requirements. This initiative reflects a growing recognition of the health risks associated with surgical smoke and aims to protect both medical personnel and patients from potential exposure.

Statutes affected:
01/14/2025: 44-7-387
03/11/2025: 44-7-387
03/13/2025: 44-7-387
03/18/2025: 44-7-387
03/19/2025: 44-7-387
Latest Version: 44-7-387