Nurse anesthetist

A nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia for surgery or other medical procedures. They are involved in the administration of anesthesia in a majority of countries, with varying levels of autonomy.

Nurse anesthetist
Occupation
Activity sectors
Anesthesia, nursing
Description
CompetenciesAdministration of anesthetics and the elimination of pain
Education required
Varies by country
Fields of
employment

A survey published in 1996 reported that there were 107 countries where nurses administer anesthesia in some form, and a further nine countries where nurses act as assistants in the administration of anesthesia.[1] Depending on the local system of healthcare, they may participate only during the operation itself, or may also be involved before and after (for preanesthetic assessment and immediate postoperative management).[2] In some systems nurse anesthetists must provide anesthesia under the supervision of anesthesiologists, while elsewhere they provide anesthesia independently.[2]

The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists was established in 1989 as a forum for developing standards of education, practice, and a code of ethics.[3] Delegates from 35 member countries participate in a World Congress every few years.

In the United States
Main article: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

In the United States, nurse anesthetists use the registered term "Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist" (CRNA) and are educated to doctorate or master's level.[4] CRNAs account for approximately half of the anesthesia providers in the United States and are the main providers of anesthesia in rural America, U.S. military, Veteran’s Administration, medically underserved communities, and to maternity patients. 49,000+ nurse anesthetists administer approximately 43 million anesthetics to patients each year.[5] CRNA’s are trained to administer every type of anesthesia. Historically, nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care to patients since the American Civil War more than 150 years ago. The CRNA credential came into existence in 1956 and approximately 40% of nurse anesthetists are male.[6]

Scope of practice safeguards and practitioner oversight requirements vary between healthcare facility and state, with 17 states and Guam granting complete autonomy as of 2016. In states that have opted out of supervision, the Joint Commission and CMS recognize CRNA's as licensed independent practitioners.[7] In states requiring supervision, CRNA's have liability separate from any supervising practitioner and are able to administer anesthesia independently of physician anesthesiologists.[8][9][10]

Some CRNAs use the title nurse anesthesiologist as a synonym for nurse anesthetist; groups representing anesthesiologists and other medical doctors, such as the American Medical Association and American Society of Anesthesiologists, oppose the use of this phrase to describe CRNAs and call it misleading.[11][12]

See also

References
  1. McAuliffe, M. S; Henry, B (1996). "Countries where anesthesia is administered by nurses". AANA Journal. 64 (5): 469–79. PMID 9124030.
  2. McAuliffe, M. S; Henry, B (1998). "Survey of nurse anesthesia practice, education, and regulation in 96 countries". AANA Journal. 66 (3): 273–86. PMID 9830854.
  3. International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (2007). About IFNA... Retrieved May 23, 2007, from http://ifna-int.org/ifna/page.php?16
  4. "Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) – Department of Anesthesiology". anesthesiology.weill.cornell.edu.
  5. Daughettry, Lindsay (2010). "Is There a Shortage of Anesthesia Providers in the United States?". Rand Health. Retrieved September 30, 2018.
  6. "CRNA Fact Sheet". www.aana.com.
  7. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2018-08-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2018-08-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2018-08-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-04. Retrieved 2018-08-03.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  11. Andy Nghiem, AMA: Anesthesiologists that aren't licensed shouldn't refer to themselves as such, Patient Daily (July 31, 2020).
  12. Christine Sexton,Nursing Board Signs Off On 'Anesthesiologist' Title, News Service of Florida (August 20, 2020).
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