Lack of training leaves new surgeon assistants endangering patient health; local lawmakers want to fix that

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — In 2020, COVID-19 hit every corner of the globe, as Americans found themselves logging in online for everyday life.

During this time, unqualified online diploma mills handed out certifications for surgical technologists, whose job is to assist surgeons during life saving surgery.

After receiving their online degree, often times they never practiced mock up surgery, a standard at nationally accredited colleges across Illinois. Because of this, a new hire's first experience was with a real patient whose life was in their hands.

Brooke Oliver, the Surgical Technology Program Director at Richland Community College said when it comes to people's lives, these surgeon assistants should be way more qualified.

"It's very unfortunate that we do not have current laws on the books in Illinois," Oliver said. "That a job is so critical to direct patient care, and has no educational requirements or credentialing measures."

A bill by State House Democrats would increase educational requirements for surgical technologists. It would require the degree to come from a nationally accredited program and in that program, have practiced a mock surgical treatment.

Dr. Chris Wottowa an orthopedic surgeon said lawmakers need to pass this bill now.

"We don't use leeches anymore," Wottowa said. "We use a whole spectrum of complicated equipment. Drills that have to be inspected and cleaned, lasers, every type of microscopic instrument you could imagine. If there ever is a team sport it's surgery."

When the plan was heard in House health care licenses committee, GOP lawmakers voted against the bill. State Rep. William Hauter the Republican spokesperson for the committee and a doctor explains his stance.

"While the Republicans on the committee are 100% behind the efforts to create an even more highly educated, trained and credentialed surgical technologist profession in Illinois, it can not come at the expense of creating artificial healthcare workforce shortages," Hauter said.

"We listened to the serious concerns of Illinois hospitals that this bill had the possibility of delaying surgical care and preferred waiting to see the bill language after final negotiations. I’m actually hearing good things, so we look forward to advancing it out of our committee in bipartisan fashion."

The plan is now on the House floor, where it will possibly head back to the health care licenses committee for an amendment.