Registered nurse circulator legislation in Connecticut

Developing regulations or legislation in every state to mandate an RN as the circulator in operating and invasive procedure rooms is critical to patient safety. Current regulatory language is ambiguous and may lead health care facility administrators to consider using licensed practical nurses, licensed vocational nurses, or surgical technologists in the circulator role. The State of Connecticut currently has no legislative or regulatory language regarding the RN as circulator, but some nurses are trying to change this. Communication with state legislators, has made it clear that legislators are in need of education about perioperative nursing and the circulator role.