Military CRNAs Lead the Fight against COVID-19

Certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are battle-tested providers, joining all our military’s medical personnel deployed in the fight against COVID-19.

Nurse anesthetists have been the main providers of anesthesia care to U.S. military personnel on the front lines since World War I, and remain the primary anesthesia providers in austere combat theaters. In fact, CRNAs most commonly are the only anesthesia providers in the military’s forward surgical teams.

It is no wonder then that CRNAs are back on the frontline and on active duty fighting against the global COVID-19 pandemic. CRNAs provide high-quality, safe care, even in the most stressful and emergent situations.

In America’s epicenter of the viral infection, the anesthesia department at the Javits New York Medical Station (JNYMS) consisted of 27 CRNAs who worked with medical providers from the U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force, addressing the health-care crisis striking New York City.

Among those at JNYMS was U.S. Navy Cmdr. Joe K. Blair, CRNA, MS, NC. Blair is a 2005 graduate of the Allegheny School of Anesthesia/La Roche College School of Nurse Anesthesia in Pittsburgh, and was featured in a video showcasing the military operations of CRNAs working at the medical station:

“It has been noted frequently what a difference the CRNAs have made in the care the patients have received in the ICU,” Blair said. “Our vast ICU experience with our current anesthesia training made us supremely adapted to function in the capacity that we took on in this situation.”

The Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists and all of our CRNAs and students salute Cmdr. Joe K. Blair and the military medical professionals like him from all of the uniformed services who are bravely and proudly serving our country in its national response to COVID-19.

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Jamaica-native, U.S. Army Reserve Capt., supports Temple University Health health care workers​

PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES

04.29.2020

Video by Master Sgt. George Roach

Defense Department Support to FEMA COVID-19

U.S. Army Reserve Capt. Yakeba Allison, certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), attached to Urban Augmentation Medical Task Force 352-1, is supporting Temple University Health health care workers in the fight against COVID-19 in Philadelphia, Pa., April 29, 2020. UAMTF 352-1 is augmenting civilian medical staff at six Philadelphia-area medical facilities in support of the Department of Defense COVID-19 response. U.S. Northern Command, through U.S. Army North, is providing military support to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help communities in need. (U.S. Army video by Staff Sgt. Adrian Patoka, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)

For more information on this story, please contact 1st Lt. Kara Crennan at kara.crennan.1@us.af.mil

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 U.S. Air Force Heritage Ball

On Saturday, November 2nd, the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) was proud to support the inaugural U.S. Air Force Heritage Ball. Sponsored by the 911th Air Wing and the 911th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, the event was hosted by the Heinz Field Club in Pittsburgh.

More than 650 military and civic leaders attended this inaugural event. PANA Board Member, Lt. Col. (R) Laura Wiggins, DNP, MSN, CRNA, represented PANA. Speaking to the longstanding history and legacy of CRNAs in the military, Laura highlighted the contributions that Pennsylvania CRNAs make to military surgical teams.

Additionally, Lt. Col. Chuck Giordano, DNP, CRNA was lead planner of the Air Force Heritage Ball Event. The U.S. Air Force Museum Curator also attended with many military artifacts from the museum on display. One featured artifact was a parachute constructed for a military working dog during the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949). This rarely seen artifact allowed military dogs to actually “jump” from the aircraft.

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PANA AF Heritage Ball

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Valerie Gaydos, 44th District PA House o

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PANA was honored to serve as the headlining sponsor of the Air Force Heritage Ball, which helped defray costs for the junior enlisted members that were in attendance. Several non-military CRNAs attended to represent PANA’s continued support of all military members.

CRNAs were the first professional group to provide anesthesia in the United States and are the oldest recognized group of advanced practice registered nurse specialists in the country, with a history that spans to the Civil War.