A bill that would certify nurse anesthetists and remove physician supervision requirements is under consideration by the House Professional Licensure Committee.
Pennsylvania Medical Society President James Goodyear, MD, testified against House Bill 1866 at a hearing that was held on Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010.
“Nurse anesthetists are incredibly talented individuals. But they do have limitations. I, too, have limitations… I am a general surgeon. I cannot perform ocular surgery, neurosurgery, or cardiothoracic surgery,” Dr. Goodyear said.
Nurse anesthetists are skilled at administering anesthesia and monitoring anesthetized patients but should be supervised by a physician, preferably an anesthesiologist, Dr. Goodyear said.
“The administering of anesthesia is serious business. Injecting potentially lethal drugs into a patient that not only induces sleep but paralyzes them should not be taken lightly,” he added.
Removing physician supervision requirements could jeopardize patient safety. The Pennsylvania Medical Society supports strengthening the collaborative agreement between a nurse anesthetist and their collaborating physician by requiring that the agreement be clearly defined and in writing.