The
Senate Michigan Competitiveness Committee reported a bill expanding the scope
of practice for nurse anesthetists to include the prescription and
administration of pharmacological agents received by a patient.
SB
1019 allows a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) to
administer pharmacological agents to be received by a patient as part of
anesthesia and analgesia services within that scope. In addition, nurse
anesthetists will be authorized to provide anesthesia and analgesia services as
the sole and independent anesthesia provider if he or she were part of a
patient centered care team.
CRNA’s
will also be able to provide services for diagnostic, interventional, obstetric,
or operative purposes during the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative
service period or the obstetrical service period. The bill does exclude chronic
pain management services, but does allow a nurse anesthetist to perform such
services under delegation as prescribed in the Public Health Code.
Senate
Majority Floor Leader, and sponsor of the bill, Senator Mike Kowall (R-White
Lake Township) told the committee this allows hospitals to not require certain
paperwork to be filled out for nurse anesthetists to practice within the scope
of their training. According to Mr. Kowall, some 40 states and the military
have similar policies and will help fix the issue of anesthesiologists being
unavailable.
Andrea
Teitel, president of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists commended
the committee on the passage. Ms. Teitel commented SB 1019 improves access to
care for patients and ensures patients receive safe anesthesia care. Michigan
Health and Hospital Association executive vice president and COO David Seaman
also voiced his support for the legislation. Mr. Seaman added this bill allows
hospitals the choice to determine their own policy based on their
circumstances.