hospitals; outpatient surgical centers; nurses

HB 2132 requires Arizona outpatient surgical centers and hospitals to implement policies ensuring a registered nurse trained in perioperative care (a "circulator" nurse) is physically present in the operating room for the entire duration of every surgical procedure, effective by January 1, 2026. This directly affects healthcare facilities and their surgical teams by mandating specific staffing protocols during operations. The circulator nurse must coordinate patient safety and support the surgical team throughout the procedure, as defined in the bill. The Arizona Department of Health will enforce this requirement during facility inspections and when addressing related complaints.