Poster Presentation: Empowering CRNAs Achieving Opt-Out from Physician Supervision-Empowering CRNAs Achieving Opt-Out from Physician Supervision

Empowering CRNAs Achieving Opt-Out from Physician Supervision

Pdf Summary

The document discusses the financial and practical challenges that hospitals in non-opt-out states face due to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements mandating physician supervision of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). This restriction raises costs and limits access to anesthetic care. Currently, 25 states and Guam have chosen to opt out of these CMS requirements, allowing CRNAs to practice independently.<br /><br />Key factors contributing to the successful elimination of supervision requirements in these states include coordinated advocacy efforts, political action committee (PAC) funding, lobbying, and forming relationships with healthcare organizations and political figures. These efforts are aimed at highlighting how outdated supervision rules restrict innovation, increase costs, and limit patient access to care.<br /><br />The article emphasizes the importance of CRNAs examining their state's political environment and working with state and national leaders, such as the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), to advocate for independent practice rights. Forming coalitions with hospital associations, securing endorsement letters from surgeons, and engaging with lobbyists and political experts are also vital strategies.<br /><br />A detailed review of relevant literature and interviews with stakeholders from the most recent states to opt-out reveals a pattern of successful methods and strategies. These include enhancing public and legislative awareness of CRNAs' safety records, the inefficiencies of supervised models, and the potential benefits of autonomous CRNA practice.<br /><br />The document concludes that policy reforms to allow nationwide CRNA practice without physician supervision would transform anesthetic care delivery, increase the number of available clinicians, improve healthcare access, and enhance cost-effectiveness.<br /><br />Tables and charts illustrate the states that have opted-out from 2001 to 2024, showing a trend towards increasing acceptance of independent CRNA practice. It also includes a PRISMA flow diagram indicating the systematic review process used to gather relevant studies and data, ultimately supporting the call for nationwide CRNA opt-out.

Keywords

CRNA

CMS requirements

physician supervision

opt-out states

healthcare access

advocacy efforts

policy reform

cost-effectiveness

independent practice

anesthetic care