Michigan Legislative Updates

May 2009

Use this link to follow the activity of House Bill 4834

http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?2009-HB-4834

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Were You There?

Have You Heard? MSA-AST Rocked Lansing

(This letter has been copied from our home page for archive purposes)

Every experience I have had and office that I have held with MSA since its inception has moved me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to grow. I never dreamed I would be at the helm of this grassroots’ effort. So many MSA members have worked diligently to see legislation passed. MSA’s had its first Health Policy experience in 2005 with HB 4403. The Health Policy Committee experience was exciting. The bill was passed, but not with the original verbiage. We learned! MSA continued to fight and was back in Lansing in 2006 with HB 5544 that was presented by Representative John Stakoe. GAPA members met with members of the Health Policy Committee and different interest groups. This bill stayed in committee.

In 2007 MSA-AST hired the lobbyist firm Kindsvatter and Associates. GAPA committee members continued to work on legislation verbiage with K&A and AST. K&A has been working steadily on our behalf. In December, Brad Comment, Lobbyist-Kindvatter and Associates, Cathy Sparkman, AST Director of Government Affairs, Rebecca Pieknik, Chair of Government Affairs and Policy Committee and I had the honor to meet with House Health Policy Committee, MCORN, MSMS and MHA. These meetings allowed us to discuss our roles as surgical technologists, the importance of education and the basis for mandatory certification. Although we were well received and created a “buzz” around the capitol, we still have opposition. But this meeting set the stage for more to come.

MSA came back to Lansing in full force! Working together, MSA-AST members from all over the state Rocked Lansing with a Mock Total Knee Surgical Procedure in the Capitol Rotunda on April 29th! Over 45 CSTs and CST/CFAs worked in collaboration with Michigan Perioperative Nurses, Surgeons, Hospitals, Surgery Centers, and Vendors for a successful surgery on April 29th. They participated in weekly conference calls, donated their time, talents, supplies and equipment! Who would have thought that something of this magnitude could be pulled off? The CST’s from the state of Michigan did and did not waiver!

This was a Historical Event in Michigan! Grassroots efforts are never easy, but just like in Surgery the Surgical Technologist’s SPIRIT of Team Work brought about a successful surgery! This was a TEAM EFFORT by a VITAL MEMBER of Every SURGICAL TEAM. And like every TEAM EFFORT we did not stand alone. We rose to the occasion created by the Mock Surgery and pending legislation!

Many thanks to all of the MSA members and supporters who have made this happen! You shared a vision to promote and empower all members of the Surgical Team! You did not back down from the challenge. You have provided a way for all of us to move forward. What more can I say? You have been empowered! The doors have been opened for you to make a difference! Take the step into the future!

Lynda Custer, CST, MA

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PICTURES OF THIS EVENT

This was reported in MIR's Newspaper:
(MIR's Newspaper granted to duplicate)

Mock Knee Surgery Makes Case For CSTs When the sound of buzz saws and battery-operated drills tore through the Capitol rotunda this morning, you'd have thought renovations were underway. But the assortment of surgeons, certified surgical technologists, registered nurses, anesthesiologists and even a dutiful patient would have tipped you off that something different was afoot. That something was the first-ever "mock total knee replacement" procedure performed in the rotunda. The first floor was packed with a gallery of lawmakers, nurses, surgical techs and the just plain curious. More peered over the second and third floor railings to get a glimpse. The operation was staged to demonstrate the importance of the certified surgical technicians (CSTs) in the operating room. According to Lynda CUSTER, of the Michigan State Assembly of the Association of Surgical Technologists, Michigan law mandates certain education, training and qualifications for every team member in the operating room -- except CSTs. "Let's stop training people on the job," she implored to the crowd, rattling off a list of everything the CST is responsible for: everything from making sure everything in the OR is sterile to running a detailed checklist at the end of each procedure to ensure patients don't wake up with a sponge sewn into their abdomen. Her organization is pushing for passage of HB 4834, which would set those qualifications, and supporting another bill, HB 4615, which would require that a registered nurse serve as the "circulating nurse" in all operating rooms, whether in hospitals or free-standing surgery center. Representatives from both the CST group and the nurses' organization stressed that the issue is one of patient safety. Indiana and Texas have CST credential laws on the books. Bills are pending in nine other states. Registered Nurse (RN) Claire EVERSON made the trip from Arizona to witness the surgery and show support for both pieces of legislation. She said that RNs and CSTs are advocates for patients once the anesthesia kicks in, and patients should be guaranteed they're getting fully qualified representation. After all, she said, your life is in their hands. "There is at least one 'Miracle on the Hudson' in an OR every day -- and that's because of the CSTs and RNs, and the work they do," she said.

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News Video courtesy of WILX Lansing

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