Two-thirds of Pa. Voters Support Professional Designation for CRNAs

Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kurt Knaus; P: 717-724-2866; E: kurt@ceislermedia.com

Two-thirds of Pa. Voters Support Professional Designation for CRNAs

Pennsylvania is one of just two states that fails to recognize nurse anesthetists in some form

HARRISBURG (April 20, 2020) --- Two-thirds (67%) of Pennsylvania voters support professional designation for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), including those who identify as Republican (59%), Democrat (75%) and Independent (62%), according to results of a statewide public opinion poll conducted by G. Terry Madonna Opinion Research.

Pennsylvania is one of just two states that fails to recognize CRNAs in some form. Because there is no definition for “certified registered nurse anesthetist” under the state’s Professional Nursing Law, CRNAs are recognized only as registered nurses, not as CRNAs. That brings logistical and financial burdens, and it continues to inhibit our full response to this health-care pandemic.

In response to COVID-19, many CRNAs want to contribute more in the facilities where they work but can’t. Likewise, hospitals and other health-care institutions want to use CRNAs to their fullest capacity but can’t. Many of these facilities feel restricted by the way the state licenses CRNAs and will not allow nurse anesthetists to provide advanced, critical care services, even though it is within their education, training, clinical experience and scope of practice --- meaning this valuable health-care resource remains untapped during a time of crisis.

There are other challenges as well. Pennsylvania nurse anesthetists who serve in the military must secure designation in another state to provide anesthesia in the armed services. They cannot assist on rapid response teams in states affected by natural disasters because they lack formal credentials. And, after receiving training in Pennsylvania, many nurse anesthetists relocate to states with full credentialing, contributing to the state’s “brain drain.”

Bipartisan measures have been introduced in both chambers to recognize nurse anesthetists as “CRNAs” under Pennsylvania statute, with one bill (S.B. 325), sponsored by Sen. John R. Gordner (R-Columbia), receiving Senate approval last year. The legislation remains under consideration in the House Professional Licensure Committee.

“Broad support like this should give lawmakers the confidence they need to advance this measure and finally provide CRNAs with the professional designation they deserve,” said Angelarosa G. DiDonato, DNP, CRNA, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA), which represents more than 3,700 CRNAs and students in the state.

CRNAs are the hands-on providers of anesthesia care, operating safely in every setting where anesthesia is administered, including: hospital operating and delivery rooms; ambulatory surgical centers; the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons; pain management centers and more.

Pennsylvania is recognized as a leader in anesthesia education and training, with 13 university-led programs. Yet, without an official CRNA designation in the state, many students leave the state. Some graduating students have to wait as long as six months to get credentialed in out-of-state facilities, as state boards must verify that the students meet the requirements necessary to be classified appropriately there.

According to the poll findings, respondents agree (47% agree to 28% disagree) that students who graduate from one of Pennsylvania’s education and training programs ultimately may leave the state because of issues with designation, going to a state that fully recognizes their profession. In the same respect, respondents agree (51% to 23%) that having professional designation would help to attract and retain these professionals.

According to the poll, respondents agree (45% to 40%) that there is no difference in patient outcomes when a CRNA provides treatment compared to an anesthesiologist. Numerous medical studies back them up. In fact, studies by nationally recognized health-care policy and research organizations prove that outcomes are nearly identical in these cases and that CRNAs provide high-quality care, even for rare and difficult procedures.

Not only are CRNAs critical to patient care, but they also help to reduce the cost of health care. Respondents also agree (46% to 40%) that CRNAs help to keep down health-care costs.

That is especially true in rural areas, where CRNAs are the main providers of anesthesia care, delivering essential health care and preventing gaps in services. CRNAs are far less costly for hospitals to employ, so rural hospitals, for example, are able to staff emergency services with in-house CRNAs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so that every Pennsylvania resident has access to these needed services.

The poll, conducted by ProBusinessConnection, interviewed 650 registered voters in the state and includes both landline and cellular households. The margin of error is +/-4.8 percent.

For more information about certified registered nurse anesthetists in Pennsylvania, visit www.PANAforQualityCare.com or follow along on social media via Twitter at @PANACRNA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PANACRNA.

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Pa. Should Utilize Nurse Anesthetists in COVID-19 Response

Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kurt Knaus, P: 717-724-2866

E: kurt@ceislermedia.com

Pa. Should Utilize Nurse Anesthetists in COVID-19 Response

Public affairs TV program to spotlight role of nurse anesthetists in pandemic

HARRISBURG (April 17, 2020) --- As the COVID-19 pandemic continues its spread in Pennsylvania, certified registered nurse anesthetists are uniquely qualified to provide care for critically ill patients, according to the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists. Yet, these frontline health-care workers remain an untapped resource for fulfilling critical roles outside the operating room during this crisis.

PANA President Angelarosa DiDonato and PANA Federal Political Director Laura Wiggins outlined the work of CRNAs and the challenges they face during a taping of the statewide public affairs TV program, “Pennsylvania Newsmakers,” which is set to begin airing this weekend.

PHYSICIAN SUPERVISION: Pennsylvania still requires physician supervision of a CRNA. However, under the directive of President Donald Trump, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services removed the national physician supervision requirement and encouraged states to allow CRNAs to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training to best care for patients during this crisis.

States like New York, West Virginia, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, Arizona and others already have acted to remove barriers, allowing them to better utilize all available health-care providers without risking patient safety. PANA has been urging Gov. Tom Wolf and his administration to lift the requirement in the commonwealth.

“This is a respiratory pandemic,” DiDonato said. “CRNAs often work with patients’ airways and perform intubations and other procedures. Our education and clinical experience make us central to any response. We want to do all we can to help.”

Removing the supervision requirement of CRNAs in Pennsylvania will avail more physicians to provide hands-on care, expand the capacity of both CRNA and physician providers, and augment the state’s health-care system to meet the growing demands of this pandemic.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: Like other frontline health-care workers, personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for CRNAs, and the shortage of some material has been alarming --- especially after guidance came from the federal government that during shortages, any facial covering, even a bandanna, would be better than nothing.

To help protect its members, PANA, which represents more than 3,700 CRNAs and students in Pennsylvania, invested $40,000 to purchase 1,000 masks for CRNAs who need them, or for those who may have been working in facilities where PPE was limited or quantities were diminishing, especially in high-need areas.

The masks, which are being sourced and manufactured in part through Ifft Enterprises in Evans City in western Pennsylvania, have been innovatively designed after extensive review of a variety of mask prototypes used by health- care professionals. The masks are reusable and feature a filter, with three replacements.

Each CRNA must request the mask individually. The manufacturer then ships the masks directly to the CRNA. But PANA is underwriting the full cost --- both manufacturing and shipping.

“We are proud of the work CRNAs are doing to respond to this crisis and remain committed to doing all we can as an association to keep CRNAs healthy and safe so they in turn can keep patients healthy and safe,” Wiggins said.

PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATION: Pennsylvania is one of just two states that fails to formally recognize CRNAs in some form. Because there is no definition for “certified registered nurse anesthetist” under the state’s Professional Nursing Law, CRNAs are recognized only as registered nurses, not as CRNAs. That brings logistical and financial burdens, and it continues to inhibit our full response to this health-care pandemic.

In response to COVID-19, many CRNAs want to contribute more in the facilities where they work but can’t. Likewise, hospitals and other health-care institutions want to use CRNAs to their fullest capacity but can’t. Many of these facilities feel restricted by the way the state licenses CRNAs and will not allow nurse anesthetists to provide advanced, critical care services, even though it is within their education, training, clinical experience and scope of practice --- meaning this valuable health-care resource remains untapped during a time of crisis.

There are other challenges as well. Pennsylvania nurse anesthetists who serve in the military must secure designation in another state to provide anesthesia in the armed services. They cannot assist on rapid response teams in states affected by natural disasters because they lack formal credentials. And, after receiving training in Pennsylvania, many nurse anesthetists relocate to states with full credentialing, contributing to the state’s “brain drain.”

Bipartisan measures have been introduced in both chambers to recognize nurse anesthetists as “CRNAs” under Pennsylvania statute, with one bill (S.B. 325), sponsored by Sen. John R. Gordner (R-Columbia), receiving Senate approval last year. The legislation remains under consideration in the House Professional Licensure Committee.

Results of a recent statewide public opinion poll shows that two-thirds (67%) of Pennsylvania voters support professional designation for certified registered nurse anesthetists, including those who identify as Republican (59%), Democrat (75%) and Independent (62%).

“Broad support like this should give lawmakers the confidence they need to advance this measure and finally provide CRNAs with professional designation,” DiDonato said.

“Pennsylvania Newsmakers” is one of the state’s premier politics and public policy television talk shows. The program runs statewide. For more information or to view the program, visit: www.newsmakerstv.com.

For more information about CRNAs in Pennsylvania, visit www.PANAforQualityCare.com or follow along on social media via Twitter at @PANACRNA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PANACRNA.

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PANA Supports Members’ PPE Needs by Purchasing Masks

Pittsburgh TV station WTAE-TV 4 (ABC) recently featured a piece about the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) investing $40,000 to purchase 1,000 masks for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) working on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for CRNAs, and the shortage of some material has been alarming. CRNAs often work with patients’ airways and perform intubations and other procedures. COVID-19 is a respiratory pandemic that is spread through coughing or sneezing, so our members are up close and at great risk.

To protect its members, the PANA board voted in March to have masks made for members who need them, or for those who may have been working in facilities where PPE was limited or quantities were diminishing. The focus was on those in hospitals in direct response and others in high-need areas.

All of this came after guidance came from the federal government that during shortages, any facial covering, even a bandanna, would be better than nothing.

At first, PANA allocated $20,000 for a first run of 500 masks. That first run was nearly accounted for in 48 hours. (CRNAs were made aware of the masks via email.) The board then allocated another $20,000 for 500 masks. All told, PANA is investing $40,000 for 1,000 masks.

These are not basic cloth masks, but rather advanced prototypes. The masks have been innovatively designed after extensive review of a variety of mask prototypes used by healthcare professionals. The masks are reusable and feature a filter, with three replacements.

The manufacturing is being done through a vendor from Evans City --- Ifft Enterprises, LLC, in Evans City in western Pennsylvania. Among the first order, and this is a large order, about 61 percent of the masks were manufactured in Evans City; the balance were made in Michigan by a subcontractor Ifft Enterprises works with during periods of high demand.

Each CRNA must request the mask individually. The manufacturer then ships the masks directly to the CRNA. But PANA is underwriting the full cost --- both manufacturing and shipping.

We are proud of the work CRNAs are doing to respond to this crisis and remain committed to doing all we can as an association to keep our CRNAs healthy and safe so they in turn can keep patients healthy and safe.