The Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society (PAOrtho) thanks Representative Tarik Khan (D, Philadelphia) for sponsoring HB 27 PN 8. This important legislation attempts to deal with the vexing issue of “surgical smoke”, the unavoidable airborne materials that are generated from certain surgical procedures.
Surgical suites can be inherently hazardous environments for patients and surgical teams. Surgical smoke may be generated by a variety of surgical instruments. Currently, surgical teams use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and various standard or specialized devices to capture and mitigate exposure within the surgical field and operating room. In addition, surgical suites must meet the highest possible level of air filtration (MERV 16). Finally, all operating rooms are positive pressure chambers with all air flow exiting the space.
Representative Khan’s legislation contains compromise language that PAOrtho forged with the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) last session. The bill passed the House on February 4, 2025, by a 171-31 vote.
HB 27 was reported by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on June 11, 2025, at PAOrtho’s request. We thank Committee Chair Michele Brooks (R, Mercer, Crawford) for moving the bill. PAOrtho will continue to press for this bill’s Senate passage.
To review the text of HB 27 PN 8, please use the link below:
View the full PAOrtho Legislative Tracker (PAOrtho Members Only)