A recent study indicates Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are the primary anesthesia professional providing anesthesia care in lower-income areas. Researchers used data derived from the 2012 U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration Area Resource File.
Nurse Economic$ published the study, "Geographical Imbalance of Anesthesia Providers and its Impact on the Uninsured and Vulnerable Populations."
Here are five highlights:
1. The study found more anesthesiologists work with counties that have higher-income populations.
2. CRNAs were found in states with less-restrictive practice regulations, such as rural counties.
3. In many rural counties, CRNAs are the only anesthesia professionals, and many experts implore states to eradicate barriers for CRNAs to practice to meet the growing demands of the newly insured and Medicaid patients.
4. CRNAs administer nearly 40 million anesthetics to patients annually.
5. A different study found CRNAs prove the most cost-effective anesthesia providers in all settings where medical professionals provide anesthesia.
"These findings point to the significance CRNAs have in providing access to anesthesia care to low-income and vulnerable populations," said lead researcher Lorraine M. Jordan, PhD, CRNA, FAAN, senior director of research, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
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