Colorado Appeals Court Rules CRNAs Can Administer Anesthesia Without Supervision

Tags: anesthesiologist | anesthesiology | certified registered nurse | Medicare

A Colorado appeals court has ruled that certified registered nurse anesthetists can administer anesthesia to patients without physician supervision, according to American Medical News.

Some physicians oppose the ruling, saying it could be harmful to patient safety. However, the Colorado Association of Nurse Anesthetists agrees with the ruling, saying research shows the same mortality rate whether or not nurses are supervised by physicians.

Federal law says ASCs, hospitals and critical access hospitals must provide physician supervision to CRNAs to receive Medicare payments, but states can opt out if governors consult with appropriate medical boards and conclude the exemption is in patients' best interest.

The lawsuit stemmed from former state Gov. Bill Ritter Jr., exercising an opt-out to all critical access hospitals and 14 rural hospitals in 2010.

Physicians are expected to appeal the ruling.

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