Provides for the registration of professional nurse anesthetist

1 Co-sponsor

• Dale M. Volker

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the registration of nurse anesthetists

Purpose

To codify current nurse anesthetist practice as the rendering of anesthesia services under medical supervision.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 -- Adds a subdivision 4 to section 6902 of the Education Law. Allows for administration of anesthesia to a patient by CRNAs under the supervision of an anesthesiologist, who is immediately available, or under the supervision of the operating physician who is physically present, or under the supervision of a dentist, oral surgeon, or podiatrist, who is physically present and authorized by law to administer anesthesia Standards of "immediately available", "supervision", "physically present", and "administration of anesthesia" are defined Regulated practice settings (hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers) as well as private practice office settings are covered.

Section 2 -- A new section 6911 is added to the Education Law to provide for certification of Nurse Anesthetists.

Section 3 -- Registered professional nurses certified as CRNAs by a national certifying body shall be deemed to be certified under Education Law section 6911 until one year after Sections One and Two of this act take effect.

Section 4 -- Effective date.

Justification

With the growth of managed health care, nurse anesthetists have an increasingly visible role in the anesthesia team, the statute will codify existing practice and provide ongoing supervision of nurse anesthetists.

Legislative history

A.8749-A/S.4923-A of 2001-2002 A.6728/S.2813 of 2003-2004 A.3702/S.1874 of 2005-2006 A.2744-A/S.4456 of 2007-2008

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Thirty days after it shall have become a law, except for sections one and two which shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which this act shall have become a law.