atrxnasd,

Many CRNAs work in ALL CRNA groups in this country. I happen to be an owner/partner in one myself. We don't need anesthesiologists to provide quality and safe anesthesia care period! Unlike anesthesiologists, CRNAs must pass their board exam within a short specified time period or they don't practice anesthesia.

Whitewater, by the way, your CRNA salary quote is actually low. Many CRNAs make SIGNIFICANTLY more than what you quoted. The national data is "outdated," especially those who own their own practices."Out of line with the training and expertise?" Laughable!! Tell that to the many CRNAs who work in CRNA only practices in rural Nevada and throughout the country! Tell that to the families of trauma victims, pending rupture of an abdominal aneurysm who would not be alive today had there not been a CRNA there to provide emergency anesthesia services. All done without any anesthesiologist in sight. A CRNA doing what they are trained to do and very capable. Tell that to the surgeons and other physicians in rural american as well as large tertiary care centers who actually respect the knowlege, expertise and skill CRNAs possess. I am sorry the pediatricians, family practice, and internal med doc's don't make what the average CRNA makes. Well to damn bad! Maybe they should have thought about their career path if money is that important to them. Why do you think CRNAs get payed what they do? Expertise, service in high demand, and liability. Hell, even insurance companies think CRNAs should get payed well.
Yea, It would be laughable to take a "highly trained" family doc or internist in the OR to provide an anesthetic for even the easiest surgical case. We would be talking to next of kin and calling a lawyer.

hrstoll,

Your comments appear to be biased and uninformed. Not surprising because most of the general public is uninformed by about Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs). CRNAs were the FIRST organized specialty in anesthesia. They have been administering anesthesia since the mid 1800s.It was NOT medical doctors to first specialize in this area. Anesthesia in its infancy was not looked upon as a glorious service, but somewhat as a handmaiden to the surgeon. The medical community and especially now the American Society of Anesthesiologists (A$A)have done a great job of deceiving the general public and minimizing the contributions of CRNAs in the field of anesthesia. The true fact is that CRNAs solely administer about 65% of all anesthesia in this country and about 85% is CRNA only in rural america. That's what the ASA does not want you to believe. That is a fact. Rarely are there only anesthesiologists practicing alone in a medical center. In fact, a great number of CRNAs are employed by anesthesiologists so the 'ologists can sit in the lounge, surf the internet and drink coffee. This is how they can maximize there income. I am sure that statement will engulf rage among the anesthesiologists, but it is a cold hard fact and they know it, so bring the flames. Las Vegas is unlike most of the country in that there are few CRNAs working in any of the hospitals down there. Would I worry that a CRNA was going to administer my anesthesia? No, not for one minute. In fact, I have only had anesthesia by CRNAs. They are highly educated, qualified, and licensed to perform this function. Anesthesiologists are held to the same high standards of anesthesia care that CRNAs are expected to uphold. It is sad that there always will be a few bad apples out there in all medical professions. Does it mean that one particular group is less professional or more incompetent? NO. The vast majority of CRNAs and anesthesiologists practice a high level of care. Our military warriors are provided anesthesia care almost exclusively by CRNAs. Our government and military brass understands the high level of care and competence of CRNAs. Want to know the facts about CRNAs and who they really are? Visit www.aana.com

"ASA Encourages Patients to Ask for An Anesthesiologist Qualifications of Anesthesia Providers Key for Patient Safety and Infection Control."CHICAGO – Following the notification of 40,000 Nevada endoscopy center patients of possible exposure to hepatitis C due to the reuse of syringes and vials for anesthesia administration, the 42,000 members of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) want to stress that contrary to many reports in the media, the “providers” administering the anesthesia with improper infection control techniques were NOT anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists were not involved in the care of these patients. While outbreaks and notifications of this size are extremely rare, it brings to light the need for physicians and patients to be aware of the safety standards in place at all facilities,” said Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum, M.D., ASA President. “Before undergoing any procedure involving sedation or general anesthesia, patients need to be aware of what type of anesthesia they will be receiving and most important--- who will administer their anesthesia.”ASA encourages patients to ask the following questions before undergoing any procedures requiring anesthesia:"Who will be administering my anesthesia medication? Do I have an option to request an anesthesiologist? What type of anesthesia care will I be given?Do you throw out needles, syringes and vials after every patient use?"It seems they were all to eager to profess that an anesthesiologist would NEVER be involved in such practices. Looks like they spoke to soon. They must have also forgot about the other recent events where anesthesiologists were involved in the same practice as Dr. Scott Young.On 15 November 2007, 628 patients were notified that they should be tested for Hepatitis B, C and HIV. Doctor Harvey Finkelstein, 52, a physician anesthesiologist in Plainview, New York, was found to be reusing contaminated syringes. Finkelstein had more malpractice settlements than any other pain-management specialist on Long Island and was sued, on the average, once or twice yearly.Joanne Doroshow, director of the New York-based Center for Justice and Democracy and a member of a state task force on medical malpractice, said the case illustrated “a too-cozy relationship between the medical profession and the people who supposedly regulate them.” It is no surprise they would be all to quick to crucify nurse anesthetists when a couple bad apples surface. However, they will go to great lengths to hide their own bad apples and act as if all there members are clean and unspotted. Shame on the American Society of Anesthesiologists (A$A). The statements made by the A$A are no surprise; Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are in direct competition as equal providers held to the same standards of care.

So far we have not heard whether the Nevada State Medical Board has asked or is going to ask Dr. Scott Young (anesthesiologist)at the Gastrointestinal Diagnostic Clinic to surrender his license. In contrast, the Nevada State Board of Nursing stepped up to the plate immediately and asked the nurse anesthetists involved to surrender their licenses pending the outcome of the Hep C investigation. It seems there is a lower standard applied when the doctors in Nevada are involved in substandard care. The Nevada State Board of Nursing should be commended and the Nevada State Board of Medicine should be shamed.

I find it ironic that The American Society of Anesthesiologists made statements in the Washington Post recently condemning nurse anesthetists as if their anesthesiologist members would never commit such a horrible act. Well, it looks like one of their own has been caught red handed reusing syringes on multiple patients. I think perhaps this anesthesiologist should surrender his license as did the nurse anesthetists in Las Vegas. This is not the first anesthesiologist to be accused of reusing syringes on pateints. Recently in New York City, Dr. Finkelstein anesthesiologist) was accused and responsible for infecting patients with Hep C. This is outrageous and I can't believe practitioners are doing this in this day and age. Come on, you know better.

AANA condemns the reuse of medical supplies. Read the full statement and learn that this has happened in other states recently.

http://www.aana.com/news.aspx?ucNavMenu_...