Nebraska Statutes 38-3511. Licensed surgical first assistant; activities authorized
A licensed surgical first assistant may engage in the practice of surgical assisting, including, but not limited to, the following:
Terms Used In Nebraska Statutes 38-3511
- Licensed surgical first assistant: means a person licensed to practice surgical assisting under the Surgical First Assistant Practice Act. See Nebraska Statutes 38-3507
- Surgical assisting: means the practice of promoting patient safety through provision of primary assistance to the primary surgeon during a surgical procedure. See Nebraska Statutes 38-3509
- Surgical first assistant: means a person who meets the requirements of section 38-3512. See Nebraska Statutes 38-3510
(1) Assisting in the intraoperative care of a surgical patient;
(2) Positioning the patient;
(3) Preparing and draping the patient for the surgical procedure;
(4) Providing visualization of the operative site;
(5) Assisting with hemostasis;
(6) Assisting with closure of body planes, including the following:
(a) Inserting running or interrupted subcutaneous sutures with absorbable or nonabsorbable material;
(b) Utilizing subcuticular closure technique with or without adhesive skin closure strips; and
(c) Closing skin with method indicated by surgeon, including, but not limited to, suture and staples;
(7) Applying appropriate wound dressings;
(8) Providing assistance in securing drainage systems to tissue;
(9) Preparing specimens, such as grafts; and
(10) Performing other tasks during a surgical procedure delegated by and under the personal supervision of a physician appropriate to the level of competence of the surgical first assistant.