Identical to S 157, filed 3/3/15.

Adds new Part 3A (consisting of new GS 131E-89), Patient Safety, to Article 5 of GS Chapter 131E. Enacts new GS 131E-89 and amends GS 131E-153 to require the North Carolina Medical Care Commission to adopt rules to require each licensed hospital to have at least one circulating nurse physically present in each operating room for the duration of each surgical procedure to (1) coordinate the nursing care and patient's safety needs and (2) support the surgical team during surgery. Prohibits the issuance or renewal of a license unless the applicant complies with these requirements. Effective October 1, 2015.