The anesthesia crisis is hurting healthcare providers throughout the country, as the provider shortage exacerbates and reimbursements continue to sink.
Nearly 30% of anesthesiologists are predicted to leave the practice by 2033 — leading to an anticipated shortage of 12,500 providers.
Bradley Heaton, CEO of Sacramento, Calif.-based Sutter Health’s surgery center division, joined Becker’s to discuss what the health system’s strategy for the anesthesia crisis looks like.
“The anesthesia shortage is an issue both in California and nationally, and it has been a challenge not only in our surgery centers but also in our hospitals,” he said. “As we continue investing in surgical care across both hospital and ASC settings, we recognize the need to contribute more to the anesthesia pipeline in healthcare.”
Sutter Health is leveraging several approaches to address this issue, including CRNAs and anesthesia support through graduate medical education, Mr. Heaton told Becker’s.
This year, Sutter Health is launching an anesthesia residency program, starting with 10 new residents. Every year thereafter, Sutter will be adding more residents to the program to help strengthen the pipeline in Northern California, he added.
Sutter Health is also “engaging with other groups — both independent and within Sutter Health—to support anesthesia needs, as well as utilizing CRNAs to help fill gaps in anesthesia coverage,” he said.
For other shortages, such as surgical techs and nurses, Sutter Health is developing internal training programs and partnering with external schools and organizations to bring more surgical techs and nurses into the workforce
“These initiatives provide training and development opportunities, helping new professionals gain experience within our healthcare system while supporting their career growth,” he said.
