Effect of practice restriction, physician supervision on anesthesia patient safety

Editor's Note

Scope of practice restrictions and physician supervision requirements for nurse anesthetists have no impact on anesthesia patient safety, this study finds.

Examining 5.7 million anesthesia cases, researchers found that anesthesia complications differed significantly with:

• patient characteristics
• patient comorbidities
• the procedures being administered.

Complication odds did not differ by scope of practice or delivery model.

Background: Scope of practice (SOP) laws governing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) vary by state and drive CRNA practice and reimbursement. Objective: To test whether the odds of an anesthesia complication vary by SOP and delivery model (CRNA only, anesthesiologist only, or mixed anesthesiologist and CRNAs team).