It's been nearly two years since surgical tech Kristin Parker stole drugs and then passed her used needles on to patients at Rose Medical Center, putting thousands at risk and infecting 36 unwitting patients with Hepatitis C.

One of Parker's victims, Lauren Lollini, testified in favor of House Bills 1414 and 1415. Saturday, she and her daughter, Lucy, 2, will be there to watch as Gov. Bill Ritter signs them into law.

"I feel heard," Lollini said. "I feel there are legislators out there who want to keep us safe, who definitely are thinking about our best interests. This is not about money, or making money; this isn't about party lines. This is about keeping people safe. And so, for that, I have to feel good."

Lollini worked closely with the bills' sponsors, state Reps. Sara Gagliardi, and Debbie Bennefield, both Democrats from Arvada.

House Bill 1414 requires that names be included on reports involving drug diversions; HB 1415 requires surgical technicians and surgical assistants to register with the state, already common practice for doctors, nurses and most medical professionals.

"Anytime it affects one patient, we need to do something and make sure people are safe," said Gagliardi, herself a nurse.

Lollini is hopeful that the new laws will be an important first step in regulating surgical technicians and limiting abuses.

"She was the tip of the iceberg," Lollini said. "There's other Kristin Parker's out there. And there's no guarantee this will stop all of them. But, it will be able to keep a better record of misconduct, and I think it'll make people more liable for their actions."

Source:kwgn.com