Surgical Tech Background Checks, Drug Tests Bill Moves Forward

DENVER (CBS4)- Colorado lawmakers are working to make sure surgical technologists and surgical assistants in Colorado continue to register with the Department of Regulatory Agencies under House Bill 1160.

"Patients come to us with the understanding that they're going to be safe," said Certified Surgical Technologist Holly Falcon.

Falcon says she knows from experience that hospitals around the state aren't doing their homework when it comes to hiring.

"I was recently hired in the Denver metro area in the last year without a drug screen or a background check," Falcon said.

That's why Falcon, along with other surgical technologists and surgical assistants, spoke in support of renewing House Bill 1160, for patients they say can't speak for themselves.

"They are lying vulnerable, asleep, and unconscious on an operating room table," said Catherine Sparkman, Director of Government and Public Affairs with the Association of Surgical Technologists and Surgical Assistants.

House Bill 1160 would extend a law, in place since 2010, that requires technologists and assistants to register with the Department of Regulatory Agencies.

"I'm in favor of registration for a simple reason: For the safety of the patient," said surgical assistant Jeff Brown.

Sparkman says she's in favor of two amendments that would take the bill one step further.

"The first one provides for a criminal background check by the Department of Regulatory Agencies," Sparkman said. "The second amendment provides for the reporting of any positive drug test for surgical technologists, or surgical assistants, to DORA."

While some senators argue it's the hospital's job to hire responsibly, Falcon says changes to the bill need to happen before it's too late.

"Thousands of surgical patients can be put in harm's way," said Falcon.
The debate over the House Bill 1160 comes after two Colorado surgical technologists were arrested for using drugs meant for patients and then replacing the needles.

Thousands of patients had to be tested for diseases during the investigations of Rocky Allen and Kristen Parker.

The bill passed the senate committee 4-1 Thursday afternoon, but still has a few more steps to go before it heads to the floor.

By Andrea Flores, CBS4 Reporter