California physicians are appealing the latest court decision that upheld the right for nurse anesthetists to administer anesthesia without physician supervision, an issue that has pitted nurses and doctors against each other in a nationwide turf battle.
Medicare allows state governors to opt out of a federal policy that requires physician supervision of nurse anesthetists when delivering anesthesia to Medicare patients. This provision is intended to address staffing shortages where anesthesiologists may not be readily available. California and 16 other states currently operate under the opt-out provision.
Opponents of the provision claim that the state's current scope of practice for nurse anesthetists does not allow for unsupervised practice.
To read more, click on the following link:
http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/page-1/TEC-262136/Nurse-Anesthetists-Scope-of-Practice-Challenged-Again-in-CA
Source: HealthLeaders Media
Showing posts with label Nurses. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nurses. Show all posts
Friday, February 4, 2011
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Study Supports Use of CRNAs without Physician Supervision
A study in Health Affairs shows that patient death rates have not increased among states that allow nurse anesthetists to administer services without the supervision of an anesthesiologist or surgeon.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services currently require that nurse anesthetists perform under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or surgeon in order to bill under Medicare; however, states have the ability to opt out of this requirement by petitioning CMS. Currently, 14 states have opted out.
The study showed that in the states that have opted out, anesthesiologists have taken on more complicated cases, or cases where the private insurance reimbursement was higher, while unsupervised nurse anesthetists have taken on more routine and Medicare-funded cases. The study compared the performance of nurse anesthetists working unsupervised, supervised nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiologists and surgeons, and found no difference among the number of patient complications and deaths allocated to each group.
The authors of the study encourage CMS to eliminate the supervision requirement, stating that allowing nurse anesthetists to work unsupervised is cost-effective, with no negative impact on patient safety. This would be especially helpful to smaller hospitals, which may not have an anesthesiologist on staff. This study serves as a reminder to MSPs that patient safety does not always have to mean "physician supervision."
Sources: BNA, Health Affairs
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services currently require that nurse anesthetists perform under the supervision of an anesthesiologist or surgeon in order to bill under Medicare; however, states have the ability to opt out of this requirement by petitioning CMS. Currently, 14 states have opted out.
The study showed that in the states that have opted out, anesthesiologists have taken on more complicated cases, or cases where the private insurance reimbursement was higher, while unsupervised nurse anesthetists have taken on more routine and Medicare-funded cases. The study compared the performance of nurse anesthetists working unsupervised, supervised nurse anesthetists, and anesthesiologists and surgeons, and found no difference among the number of patient complications and deaths allocated to each group.
The authors of the study encourage CMS to eliminate the supervision requirement, stating that allowing nurse anesthetists to work unsupervised is cost-effective, with no negative impact on patient safety. This would be especially helpful to smaller hospitals, which may not have an anesthesiologist on staff. This study serves as a reminder to MSPs that patient safety does not always have to mean "physician supervision."
Sources: BNA, Health Affairs
Monday, May 24, 2010
Minnesota Preparing for Largest Nursing Strike in US History
Last Wednesday, the members of the Minnesota Nurses Association voted to approve a one-day strike that will affect hospitals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The nurses are protesting proposed labor contracts that would set wage increases over the next three years at zero to two percent and proposed pension plans. The nurses are also protesting proposed staffing plans that would allow hospitals to send nurses home on slow days, or float nurses to other departments with higher need. The MNA argues that this staffing plan will overburden staff, leading to potential patient safety risks. The hospitals argue that these changes would allow them to maintain quality care without having to hire a larger volume of nurses, which would raise the cost of care to the patient.
12,000 nurses who are members of the MNA are currently contracted with hospitals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The MNA provided the hospitals with notice of the planned strike. Hospital representatives are disappointed with the decision to strike, stating that there is still time to negotiate.
Several articles have raised questions on how the strike may affect patient safety. Some are worried that bringing in temporary nurses will cost hospitals millions of dollars. Others are worried that the strike will disrupt patient care, creating a higher safety risk to the patient.
Members of the MNA hope that an agreement with hospitals is reached prior to the June 1 contract expiration; however, they stated that they are ready to strike if a deal is not reached.
Sources: Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, Pioneer Press
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2010/05/17/daily32.html
http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_15122286
12,000 nurses who are members of the MNA are currently contracted with hospitals in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The MNA provided the hospitals with notice of the planned strike. Hospital representatives are disappointed with the decision to strike, stating that there is still time to negotiate.
Several articles have raised questions on how the strike may affect patient safety. Some are worried that bringing in temporary nurses will cost hospitals millions of dollars. Others are worried that the strike will disrupt patient care, creating a higher safety risk to the patient.
Members of the MNA hope that an agreement with hospitals is reached prior to the June 1 contract expiration; however, they stated that they are ready to strike if a deal is not reached.
Sources: Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal, Pioneer Press
http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2010/05/17/daily32.html
http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_15122286
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