When undergoing surgery, many people are concerned about the successful administration and maintenance of anesthesia. They may assume that anesthesia is provided by a licensed physician because of the high risks associated with that responsibility. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

Anesthesia can be administered by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). These nurses are trained specifically to deliver various forms of anesthesia and, in many states, can practice independently without supervision by a licensed physician. For many, this raises concerns about patient safety and communication in the operating room.

The Growing Responsibility of CRNAs in Anesthesia Care

According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology, there are currently 57,000 CRNAs. This exceeds the current number of physician anesthesiologists—33,5000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The domination of CRNAs in the industry has led to a natural increase in reliance on them to provide anesthesia care in medical and health care facilities across the country.

Although this raises concerns for many, one of the main advantages of nurse anesthetists is that they can operate autonomously in various settings without having to go through an approval process with a supervising physician. This means patients can be helped and treated at a more efficient rate. A drawback to this situation is that it creates supervision and evaluation challenges. In many hospital settings, there is a single physician anesthesiologist who oversees multiple CNRAs, making communication and decision-making more difficult.

The Irregularity of CRNA Roles in America

Depending on the state in which a CRNA practices, their responsibilities and titles may vary. In many states, CRNAs operate independently and have permission to do so. In others, nurse anesthetists are required to have some measure of supervision or collaborative relationship with a physician. For example, in Washington, D.C., they are allowed to function under the title of “Nurse Anesthesiologist.” This title has raised concerns from the American Medical Association because it suggests a level of expertise and authority equivalent to that of a physician anesthesiologist.

Washington, D.C. is just one of many areas that have allowed a change in titles and roles. For patients who have little knowledge of the medical system, the changes may be misleading, especially if they are unaware of the level of training their anesthetist has. A lack of transparency can lead to liability issues if there are complications during a surgical procedure.

While there have been recent discussions and lobbying efforts by nursing organizations to grant CRNAs more autonomy, both New Jersey and Pennsylvania remain supervision-required states.

The Dangers of Miscommunication in Anesthesia Care

One of the most important factors in successful and efficient anesthesia care is clear communication. Operating rooms tend to be fast-paced, high-risk environments. Accuracy and timely communication within surgical teams are essential to ensure that patients remain safe throughout their procedures. Unfortunately, leading causes of medical errors include communication errors or systematic flaws. Research shows that communication failures are responsible for approximately 30 percent of all malpractice cases.

When it comes to how anesthesia functions in the surgical room, CRNAs overseeing multiple patients at once could miss crucial information. This includes the medical history and condition of patients during surgery. Especially if nurse anesthetists are not supervised in their role, lines of responsibility may be unclear.

Contact an Attorney for Help if You Were Injured by an Unsupervised Nurse Anesthetist

Although nurse anesthetists play a valuable role in anesthesia care, supervision is important so that patients who undergo surgery are safe. There are many risks associated with anesthesia administration, and when communication fails in the surgical environment, it can result in life-threatening accidents.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a medical error during anesthesia administration, it is important to work with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the legal process of seeking justice.

At Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., we pride ourselves on our dedication to seeking justice for our clients and getting them the compensation they deserve. Contact us to book a consultation today. You are not alone in this process.