Texas SB490 mandates health care facilities to adopt a surgical smoke evacuation system policy.

Texas SB490 requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt and implement a policy to mitigate exposure to surgical smoke using a surgical smoke evacuation system during surgical procedures. Surgical smoke refers to the gaseous by-product produced by energy-generating devices during surgery. The evacuation system must capture, filter, and remove the smoke before it contacts patients or health care providers. The Act takes effect September 1, 2025, with implementation required by January 1, 2026.

Texas SB490 mandates health care facilities to adopt a surgical smoke evacuation system policy.

Texas SB490 requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt and implement a policy to mitigate exposure to surgical smoke using a surgical smoke evacuation system during surgical procedures. Surgical smoke refers to the gaseous by-product produced by energy-generating devices during surgery. The evacuation system must capture, filter, and remove the smoke before it contacts patients or health care providers. The Act takes effect September 1, 2025, with implementation required by January 1, 2026.