Inefficient anesthesia staffing models due to scope of practice limitations may lead to delays in care, higher cancellation rates, decreased patient satisfaction, and higher rates of surgical complications. Tens of thousands of Nurse Anesthesiologists practice throughout the US, however many are prohibited from practicing independently. Within the context of the Veterans Health Administration, Nurse Anesthesiologists are often required to be supervised for both inpatient and outpatient procedures.

During the pandemic, Hospital staff were overstretched treating critically ill patients with COVID-19, and the widespread cancellation of routine and elective procedures during early 2020 dramatically increased backlogs of surgical cases. In response, the VHA issued guidance to its facilities to allow Nurse Anesthesiologists to practice independently unless prohibited by state law. However, the effects of these recent policy changes within the VHA system have not yet been studied.

This lecture will review late breaking research conducted within the Veterans Health Administration leveraging the U.S. COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) as a natural experiment. These data will be used to evaluate physician oversight of Nurse Anesthesiologists and changes in Veteran outcomes. These outcomes included post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) time, surgical cancellation rates and delays, post-surgical mortality, readmissions, and both VA and community care surgical volumes with fiscal impact analysis.

Learning Outcome(s):

1. The learner will describe how physician oversight of nurse anesthesiologists within the VHA influences surgical cancellation rates and delays.
2. The learner will describe how physician oversight of nurse anesthesiologists within the VHA influences post-surgical mortality.
3. The learner will describe how physician oversight of nurse anesthesiologists within the VHA influences referrals of veterans to community care services.

This program has been prior approved by the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology for 0.1 Class A CE credits; Code Number 1044810; Expiration Date 2/20/2025.

• Julia Melinda Harris, CRNA, MSN, FAANA (she/her/hers)
• Kevin N. Griffith, PhD (he/him/his)

Accreditation Information:
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. 

AANA is an approved provider by the California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP #10862.

Disclosure Statement:
Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Post-Test Attempt Notice:
A minimum passing score of 80% is required to pass this course. You have TWO opportunities to achieve a passing score. If you fail to achieve a passing score of 80%, you will not receive CE credit for this course.

Content Disclaimer:
The views, information, or opinions expressed within the videos and audio are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.

Course content has been prepared by the presenter/developer, and each viewer agrees that the presenter/developer is solely responsible for the content and the accuracy thereof. The viewer agrees that the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology has no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content.

Refund Policy:
Continuing education activities are nonrefundable.