SNHP | Senior Nursing Poster Session
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
Doctor of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia
Minor
None
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Darlena Jones
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
Promotion of Independent CRNA Practice in Rural Areas
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide the majority of anesthesia care in rural areas across the United States (Seibert, Alexander, & Lupien 2004). No federal mandate exists which states CRNAs must be supervised, yet some facilities require CRNAs to be supervised by anesthesiologists. CRNAs are equally safe in providing anesthesia care as physician anesthesiologists (Dulisse & Cromwell, 2010). Yet many policy makers and hospital administrators are unaware that regulations permit the safe, cost effective care of CRNAs. Indeed, many facilities are facing pressure to allow anesthesiologists to oversee practice, even in many rural areas. The question arises: How will perceptions of administrators and policy makers be affected by education regarding the legislative authority, safety, and cost-effective care of patients, to promote CRNA independent practice? In light of recent challenges to independent CRNA practice in rural areas, this capstone project provided a CRNA facts pamphlet to educate policymakers and hospital administrators to promote support of independent CRNA practice. This pamphlet was sent to Kentucky Association of Nurse Anesthetists (KyANA) board members with an anonymous survey to solicit input for revisions and recommendations for dissemination. Following a 16% response rate from the KyANA board, and discussion with practicing CRNAs, minor revisions were made to address current issues. Approximately 200 KyANA members received the pamphlet and the KyANA is in the process of distributing electronically to 879 KyANA members. Recommendations include ongoing updates and distribution on a national level.
Keywords: CRNA, Nurse Anesthesia, rural, independent practice, pamphlets
Affiliations
Nursing
CRNA Facts Information Pamphlet
Promotion of Independent CRNA Practice in Rural Areas
Promotion of Independent CRNA Practice in Rural Areas
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) provide the majority of anesthesia care in rural areas across the United States (Seibert, Alexander, & Lupien 2004). No federal mandate exists which states CRNAs must be supervised, yet some facilities require CRNAs to be supervised by anesthesiologists. CRNAs are equally safe in providing anesthesia care as physician anesthesiologists (Dulisse & Cromwell, 2010). Yet many policy makers and hospital administrators are unaware that regulations permit the safe, cost effective care of CRNAs. Indeed, many facilities are facing pressure to allow anesthesiologists to oversee practice, even in many rural areas. The question arises: How will perceptions of administrators and policy makers be affected by education regarding the legislative authority, safety, and cost-effective care of patients, to promote CRNA independent practice? In light of recent challenges to independent CRNA practice in rural areas, this capstone project provided a CRNA facts pamphlet to educate policymakers and hospital administrators to promote support of independent CRNA practice. This pamphlet was sent to Kentucky Association of Nurse Anesthetists (KyANA) board members with an anonymous survey to solicit input for revisions and recommendations for dissemination. Following a 16% response rate from the KyANA board, and discussion with practicing CRNAs, minor revisions were made to address current issues. Approximately 200 KyANA members received the pamphlet and the KyANA is in the process of distributing electronically to 879 KyANA members. Recommendations include ongoing updates and distribution on a national level.
Keywords: CRNA, Nurse Anesthesia, rural, independent practice, pamphlets