To: The Colorado Senate Health and Human Services Committee

Re: CO HB1041

This letter serves to express our support of HB19-1041 and the committee’s efforts to determine an appropriate course of action concerning human exposure to surgical smoke in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. As healthcare industry professionals, we are obligated to advocate for the safety and wellbeing of our clients and their patients. Further, as American citizens we are invested in the success of Public Health legislation backed by rigorous scientific data.

As the Senators are likely aware, the hazardous and infectious nature of surgical smoke/plume is undeniable. Numerous studies have confirmed the presence of noxious gases, mutagenic/carcinogenic cells, active staphylococcus bacteria, and perhaps most concerning, HPV virions. In at least one confirmed case, a surgeon contracted HPV and developed lung cancer from surgical smoke produced by a cervical ablation procedure. While the epidemiological data to demonstrate the true scope of this problem may not exist, we believe that these immediate threats to the quality of life and occupational wellbeing for perioperative professionals should serve as adequate justification to implement standards of safety regarding surgical smoke.

We hope that the committee will follow the precedence set by Rhode Island’s surgical smoke bill (HB 7082) and the bipartisan house resolution to “promote the profession of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists” (H.Res.70), both of which passed in recent legislative sessions. These actions are a reflection of the American public’s deep appreciation of the valuable, life-saving work carried out by surgeons and perioperative professionals.

Attached you will find some of the most recent data on surgical smoke. In addition to these academic references, we would also like to offer access to any of our industry experts should their testimony be needed at some point in the legislative process.

We thank you for your time and for your efforts in serving the American people, especially the citizens of Colorado.

Sincerely,
Surgiform Technology, LTD.