S.0170

South Carolina S0170 mandates licensed facilities to adopt policies requiring the use of smoke evacuation systems to prevent exposure to surgical.

South Carolina S0170 amends the state code to require licensed facilities, including hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities, to adopt and implement policies that mandate the use of smoke evacuation systems during surgical procedures. These systems are designed to capture and filter the gaseous by-products, known as surgical smoke, produced by energy-generating devices such as lasers and electrosurgical devices. The goal is to prevent exposure to surgical smoke, which can be harmful to the eyes and respiratory tract of those in the operating room. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026.