The CSA opposed the decision on the grounds that quality care would be imperiled, patients prefer physician involvement in anesthesia care and Colorado surgeons oppose the opt-out. The organization added an opt-out will neither reduce the cost of healthcare nor affect affordability.
The letter cited a 2001 poll of 100 consumers that found 77 percent of Medicare patients opposed allowing anesthesia nurses to administer anesthesia without supervision. A similar poll in 2003 showed 68 percent opposition, according to the letter.
The CSA letter follows a letter from the Colorado Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, dated July 30, which also opposes the opt-out.
Read the letter to Gov. Bill Ritter from the Colorado Society of Anesthesiologists (pdf).
Read more on the debate over physician supervision of CRNAs:
–Colorado Governor Plans to Opt Out of Physician Supervision for Anesthesia
–New York Times Editorial Addresses Study on Nurse Anesthetists Providing Anesthesia
–AMA Calls Study of CRNAs as Sole Provider of Anesthesia Services “Flawed”
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