Comparing a CRNA to an Anesthesiologist

Comparing a CRNA to an Anesthesiologist's Assistant

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists

Definition:

A CRNA is an advance practice nurse specializing in nurse anesthesia. They are professional registered nursed who have obtained thru extensive education and completion of a National Exam, certification as anesthesia nursing specialists

Degree Granted:

Minimum degree awarded is Masters Degree. Many receive doctoral degree.

Anesthesia Practice

CRNA’s are qualified to make independent judgments regarding all aspects of anesthesia care, based on their education, licensure, and certification. Provide anesthesia in cooperation with surgeons, dentists, anesthesiologists’ podiatrists. CRNA’s practice with a high degree of autonomy

Practice locations:

CRNA’s practice in all 50 states in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered. CRNAs are the main provider of anesthesia in rural and underserved communities.

Numbers:

There are 37,000 practicing nurse anesthetists that safely administer approx 30 million anesthetics to patients each year

Distribution:

CRNA’s practice under the laws of every state

Scope of Practice:

CRNA’s are educated and trained to work with or without an anesthesiologist. CRNA’s are also educated and trained to exercise independent judgments and to respond quickly to anesthetic emergencies

History:

Nurse anesthetist have been practicing for nearly 150 years

Number of Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Programs:

109 accredited programs throughout the country

Number of students:

Approximately 5,300 students were enrolled in nurse anesthesia programs in 2008

Admission Requirements:

Four years of professional nursing education, a baccalaureate, RN licensure, at least one year (many average 4-5years) as a professional RN where they developed independent decision maker capabilities. Applicants have acquired extensive clinical experience in areas such as coronary, respiratory, post anesthesia, and surgical intensive care units before entering their programs.

Prerequisite coursework:

Examples of coursed commonly required include anatomy, physiology, microbiology, chemistry, pharmacology, sociology and psychology and statistics.

Scope of Training:

CRNA’s are capable of high level independent function and receive instruction in the administration of all types of anesthesia including general and regional anesthesia, local and conscious sedation, monitored anesthesia care, and pain management for all patients.

Anesthesia Clinical Education :

COA standards require a minimum of 550 cases. The average number of cases was 850 delivered with an average of 1,773 anesthesia case hours

Total Clinical Education:

CRNA’s receive a minimum of 7 years formal education and preparation. And will typically have acquired at least 6,000 hours of clinical patient care experience.

Autonomy and Flexibility in Practice:

Practices with a significant degree of autonomy in all types of practice settings. Work in urban and rural settings

Patient Safety:

Numerous studies have concluded that CRNAs are safe providers

• Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) work in all 50 states, have their own professional society, own professional journal, own governing body, along with practice guidelines and task forces to better improve patient care just at anesthesiologists do.

Anesthesiologists

• Anesthesiologists are usually the individual credited with the duty of delivering an anesthetic.
• Regardless of educational background, ALL anesthesia is given the same way. Anesthesia given by an anesthesiologist is the practice of medicine.
• Anesthesiologist have been providing care since the early 1900’s.
• In the United States, anesthesiologists must first complete a medical degree,either (M.D.) Doctor of Medicine or (D.O.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and then they must complete a specialty training program in anesthesiology. The majority of anesthesiologists in the U.S. have completed a 4-year undergraduate college degree. Regardless of educational background, ALL anesthesia is given the same way. Anesthesia given by an anesthesiologist is the practice of medicine.
• Like other physicians, anesthesiologists complete 4 years of medical school.
• After medical school, a physician choosing anesthesiology as his/her medical specialty has historically completed a year of internship and then 3 years of residency. Prior to the mid-1980s, the residency was two years following internship.
• Some anesthesiologists chose to further distinguish themselves by becoming board certified.
• Anesthesiologists work in all 50 states, have their own professional society, own professional journal, own governing body, along with practice guidelines and task forces to better improve patient care.

Anesthesiologists Assistants

Definition:

an allied health professional specializing in anesthesia. Works under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist in the anesthesia care team.

Degree Granted:

Masters

Anesthesia Practice

AAs must work under the direction of an anesthesiologist. And may not work under other physicians or healthcare professionals

Practice locations:

Only 10 states authorize the practice of AAs under the supervision of an anesthesiologist. Most frequently in an urban hospital setting. Cannot practice where anesthesiologists are not willing to work

Numbers:

There are 700 working AAs

Distribution:

AAs practice in only 10 states

Scope of Practice:

AAs must work under the close supervision of an anesthesiologist

History:

AAs have been practicing for around 35years

Number of Accredited Nurse Anesthesia Programs:

6 programs

Number of students:

Approximately 150 students enrolled in 2008

Admission Requirements:

Baccalaureate degree in the arts or sciences. No nursing, medical, or healthcare education, experience, licensure, or certifications required

Prerequisite coursework:

must take science and math courses that would qualify student to pursue graduate study in basic medical science.

Scope of Training:

The scope of training is severely limited. The AA curriculum is characterized by training that allows them to assist the anesthesiologist in technical functions.

Anesthesia Clinical Education :

No minimum number of anesthesia cases required.

Total Clinical Education:

AA programs range from 2 to 2.2 years. Total clinical education during the program ranges from 2,000 to 2,700hrs.

Autonomy and Flexibility in Practice:

Works under the close direction or supervision of an anesthesiologist. No autonomy

Patient Safety:

No credible research studies on anesthesia safety involving AAs.

• AA’s do not have a professional society, or their own professional journal, and cannot practice in all states
• The Anesthesiologist Assistant functions as a specialty physician assistant under the direct supervision of a licensed Anesthesiologist. An AA is not trained to think independently or to make independent decisions about the care of their patient. They must consult the anesthesiologist in charge.
• Who would want an assistant at the head of the surgical table administering anesthesia when the anesthesiologist is frequently out of the room?

Are you or a loved one having surgery or undergoing a procedure??? Be sure to ask who will deliver your anesthesia.

For nearly 150 years, nurse anesthetists or CRNA’s have been providing safe, high-quality anesthesia to surgical patients of all ages, in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered, and for every type of surgical procedure imaginable. Long recognized for their vigilance and patient advocacy, nurse anesthetists are on your side while they stay at your side throughout your surgery. On that, patients and their families can rest assured.

CRNAs have been studied extensively throughout their long history. Numerous studies show that they deliver excellent quality of care. A recent national study (2008) proves that there is no difference in obstetrical anesthesia safety between hospitals that use only CRNAs and those that use only anesthesiologists. For more information about these studies, please see AANA

CRNAs have a longstanding commitment to high standards in a demanding field and as independently licensed health professionals; CRNAs are responsible and accountable for their practice.