During CRNA Week in Pa., Legislative Resolutions Recognize Those Who Are There When Seconds Count

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) used to be the best kept secret in health care. But all of that is changing. Two separate resolutions adopted unanimously by the state House and Senate on Jan. 16 recognize CRNAs for the quality, affordable care we provide and offer a new glimpse of the men and women behind the surgical masks.

The resolutions were sponsored by state Sen. John R. Gordner (R-Columbia) and Rep. Stephen Barrar (R-Chester/Delaware) --- two longtime champions of CRNAs in Pennsylvania. Their resolutions (S.R. 6 and H.R. 30, respectively) recognize Jan. 20-26 as “Nurse Anesthetists Week” in Pennsylvania, coinciding with National CRNA Week.

This is an incredible tribute to every CRNA who plays a role in protecting patients’ health and controlling rising health-care costs. The fact is that when seconds count, it’s you --- the certified registered nurse anesthetist --- who’s there by the patient’s side for every heartbeat, every breath, every step of the way.

It used to be that patients weren’t aware of us, or that they didn’t remember it was a CRNA who cared for them throughout their procedure. Not anymore. More and more people understand that CRNAs are hands-on providers of anesthesia care for millions of patients every year. We are usually the last person they see before being anesthetized for their procedure, and the first person they see when they awake.

That’s a testament to our commitment to care for the patient throughout the entire surgical procedure.

The fact is that health care would be much different without CRNAs. We operate 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.

That’s why so many more patients are getting to know us.

And our role is so much more expansive. CRNAs are the main providers of anesthesia care in rural communities. CRNAs also are battle-tested, serving on the front lines since World War I as the main providers of anesthesia care to U.S. military personnel in austere combat theaters.

That’s why so many more patients and providers appreciate us.

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists, thank you, CRNAs, for all you do. It may be designated “CRNA Week in Pennsylvania,” but we know your passion and dedication drive you --- day in, day out, all year long.

To read our news release about “CRNA Week in Pennsylvania,” click HERE.

When seconds count, CRNAs are there

National CRNA Week kicked off Jan. 21 as a way to remind patients, families, medical professionals and others: “Every Breath. Every Beat. Every Second. WE ARE THERE!”

As usual, PANA is taking it a step further, stretching National CRNA Week into a month-long campaign to introduce Pennsylvanians to the highly skilled professionals behind the mask --- the men and women who are by their side during surgical procedures, from open-heart surgery to routine outpatient procedures.

CRNAs are the face of anesthesia care in Pennsylvania. There are more than 3,000 CRNAs and CRNAs-in-training in the commonwealth, providing hands-on anesthesia care in every setting: hospital operating and delivery rooms; ambulatory surgical centers; the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons; and pain management centers.

It’s time to take off that mask and help our patients know who we are and what we do. The role of a CRNA requires intensive training and education and nurse anesthesia is a high-responsibility career. CRNAs provide anesthesia care for millions of patients each year. Nurse Anesthetists are most frequently the first responders to intraoperative emergencies, acting quickly with expert knowledge and skill in the care of our patients.

The average nurse anesthetist completes 9,000 clinical hours of training when you combine the clinical ICU experience as a RN required to enter CRNA training, the clinical experience obtained in an undergraduate nursing curriculum and the clinical anesthesia training in a nurse anesthetist program. That’s impressive. Our high level of education and clinical experience contributes to our capable, vigilant care of each patient.

CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America, enabling health-care facilities in these medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management and trauma stabilization services. We’re battle tested, too, serving as the main providers of anesthesia care to U.S. military personnel on the front lines since World War I. CRNAs remain the primary anesthesia providers in austere combat theaters.

CRNAs are proud of their safety record and career. And that’s why this month, we are encouraging patients, families, medical professionals and others to learn more about the professionals behind the mask and appreciate the work we do. Because when it matters, nurse anesthetists are by your side for every breath, every heartbeat, every second. WE ARE THERE!

Jodie Szlachta, CRNA, Ph.D., is the President of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA).