CRNAs Educate Obama on Supervision Rules- www.change.gov

[tonybologna]

President elect Barack Obama has a website for Americans to share their ideas. The website is www.Change.Gov and the postings are made in the citizen's briefing book. Americans can search the site for topics of interest and then use the site to vote on ideas that they like and dislike. I searched 'crna' and the following two postings came up. Of course I rated these postings favorably!

Here's what crnas are posting on www.change.gov :

Dramatically reduce cost of surgery and procedures

Unfortunately, when physicians sit in congress, on boards of hospitals, and boards of regents, tough economic decisions are not made to benefit patients. When rules are being made under the guise of "What is best for patient outcomes" it is of economic benefit to physicians. For instance, certified registered nurse anesthetists existed before anesthesiologists and presently administer 70% of the anesthetics in the united states of america. Presently, the majority of metropolis' function on the "Anesthesia care team" model, whereby the crna administers the anesthetic to patients, splitting the fee with an MD usually 60% MD and 40% crna while the md is billing for up to four cases simultaneously while supervising one to four crna's at a time. Costs could be greatly reduced by allowing crna's to solely administer anethetics as trained/educated to do, thereby using the more cost effective practitioner in a safe and entirely legal capacity. It's a shame "Rule-makers" make rules to benefit their pocketbooks thus driving up healthcare costs!

Quote

Independent nurse anesthetists can help lower health care costs!

President Obama, please pass legislation that will allow nurse anesthetists to practice independently. We are the backbone of anesthesia and can be a much more useful, economical part of the anesthesia care team if we are independent of MD supervision.

I am going to nurse anesthesia school now (been an ICU RN 15 years). If you pass legislation allowing nurse anesthetists to practice independently, we can safely, effectively deliver anesthetia all over the country at a comparable, yet significantly less expense!! We future crnas want to help our beloved USA and the health care reform in doing our part! We want to practice independent! thank you!

[Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

This is a really important issue!

[Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Remember, if you do not become involved, you have no one else to blame when you lose your freedom.

[VCUBen]

I thought CRNAs were able to practice independently in all 50 states already? Do some places require a MDA present to "supervise" Also they are billing for the procedures that they just "watch" and put a comment in here and their? That is fraud isnt it? Double dipping anyone? Please clear my assumption up if it needs to be.

[loveanesthesia]

CRNAs can practice without an anesthesiologists in all 50 states, but some require a supervising (I may be incorrect in using the term 'supervising', please correct me if so) physician, who is typically the operating surgeon. In the ACT both the CRNA and anesthesiologist submit a bill, it is not fraud as long as the rules of participation are met. Some institutions may have policies against CRNAs practicing without an anesthesiologist, but that is not a law or regulation. Policies can be made which are more restrictive than allowed practice.

[ncube]

As much as I am not a CRNA or MDA, I'm wondering what will happen to MDA's in this situation. Will there cost and length of education be reduced? Will they pay less for their education? Will the entire profession be wiped out and all those interested in anesthesia can go the CRNA route. If this happens, what will happen to supply and demand? Will CRNA's be happen with their pay at this point? I think my med surg instuctor calls stuff like this ripple effect.

[ncube]

I meant happy not happpen!!

[Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Their is plenty of work to go around for both MDAs and CRNAs. Baby boomers are now starting to need new hips, new knees, carotids, plastics, etc.

Supply and demand is true. There will always be people who want to work in different types of practices. Some CRNAs like working independently some like supervision. Some docs only want to supervise and others like being in the room.