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Nurse Anesthetists' Scope of Practice Challenged Again in CA
Physicians in California are appealing the latest court decision that upheld the right for nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without physician supervision, an issue that has pitted nurses and doctors against each other in a nationwide turf battle.
I work in a rural hospital and we have a CRNA who routinely and expertly handles any and all types of emergencies. When we bring in new surgeons, they are usually leary of working with "just" a CRNA, but once they have been in the OR with him one time, they are confident in his abilities and no longer feel the need for a physician anesthetist. Our CRNA has been our primary anethesia provider for both emergency situations and during surgery for well over 10 years with NO incidents. CRNAs are highly trained, highly skilled, and do provide excellent care.
As a patient, I would only want a physician to administer my anesthesia. I would only allow a CRNA if they are under the supervision of a physician. There may be some benefit in rural areas to a CRNQ working without supervision, but as a patient would not support non-supervised CRNA's.