Patients

Patient Education is currently located on the national Web Site. Please visit AANA at: www.AANA.com. Another site focused on anesthesia safety is www.anesthesiapatientsafety.com.  "Patient Awareness Under General Anesthesia", learn more in the brochure. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is anesthesia safe?

A: According to a 1999 report released by the Institute of Medicine, anesthesia today is nearly 50 times safer than it was 20 years ago. New monitoring technologies and drugs, increased education, and more extensive professional standards have made the administration of anesthesia one of the safest aspects of a surgical or obstetrical procedure.

Q: Who administers anesthesia?

A: In the majority of cases, anesthesia is administered by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). CRNAs are non-physician anesthesia providers that work with your surgeon, dentist or podiatrist.  A nurse anesthetists may work with or without an physician anesthesiologist (MDA), but don't be concerned if an anesthesiologist is not present:  not one state in the US requires that a CRNA work with an MDA. CRNAs are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) with specialized graduate-level education (Masters or Doctorate) in anesthesiology. For almost 150 years, nurse anesthetists have been administering anesthesia in all types of surgical cases, using all anesthetic techniques and practicing in every setting in which anesthesia is administered.  Studies show that there is no difference in patient outcomes whether the anesthesia is delivered by an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist.

Q: What educational qualifications must all CRNAs have?

A: As advanced practice registered nurses, CRNAs receive their specialty anesthesia education in more than 100 accredited graduate programs offering a master’s degree and/or clinical doctorate specializing in anesthesia. Admission requirements include a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or other appropriate baccalaureate degree, RN license, and a minimum of one year of acute care nursing experience. The anesthesia curriculum covers advanced anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology; biochemistry and physics related to anesthesia; advanced pharmacology; and principles of anesthesia practice, plus hours of hands-on experience in a wide variety of cases and techniques. Upon graduation from an accredited program of nurse anesthesia education, the individual must successfully pass a national certification exam to hold the CRNA credential. Thereafter, the CRNA is committed to lifelong learning, with one requirement being 40 continuing education (CE) hours every two years for recertification. From the commencement of the professional education in nursing, a minimum of seven years of education and training is involved in the preparation of a CRNA.

Q: Is the anesthesia delivered by a nurse anesthetist different than that delivered by an anesthesiologist?

A:  No, there is no difference.  Nurse anesthetists deliver the same quality of anesthesia care as anesthesiologists.  Anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists use the same books, same drugs, and the same techniques to insure each and every patient receives the best care possible.  In fact, CRNAs and anesthesiologists are held to the same standard of care in the delivery of any anesthetic care, regardless of setting.  

 

Q: Will the nurse anesthetist stay with me throughout my surgery?

A: The nurse anesthetist stays with you for the entire procedure, constantly monitoring every important function of your body and individually modifying your anesthetic to ensure your maximum safety and comfort.

Q: Are there different types of anesthesia?

A: There are three basic types of anesthesia: General anesthesia produces a loss of sensation throughout the entire body; regional anesthesia produces a loss of sensation to a specific region of the body; and local anesthesia produces a loss of sensation to a small, specific area of the body.

Q: Why haven’t I heard about CRNAs, are you a new profession?

A:Nurse anesthesia was established in the late 1800s as the first clinical nursing specialty in response to the growing need surgeons had for anesthetists. Nurse anesthetists, pioneers in anesthesia, have been administering anesthesia for nearly 150 years and have played significant roles in developing the practice.

Q: What is the difference between a CRNA and anesthesiologist?

A: The most substantial difference between CRNAs and anesthesiologists is that prior to anesthesia education, anesthesiologists receive medical education while CRNAs receive nursing education. However, the anesthesia part of the education is very similar for both providers. They are both educated to use the same anesthesia process in the provision of anesthesia and related services, and both adhere to the same standards of patient care.

Q: Tell me what to expect when I go for my anesthesia?

A:During the procedure, anesthesia allows you to be free of pain. All anesthesia care is provided with the highest degree of professionalism, including constant monitoring of every important body function. In addition to the nurse anesthetist’s role in the procedure itself, they also make many preparations for the patient before surgery. So it is important that the patient take an active role in these preparations by communicating and cooperating with their nurse anesthetist and surgeon. For example, frank and open discussion with the nurse anesthetist is key in the selection of the best anesthetic. In particular, the patient must speak freely and follow instructions closely regarding the intake of medications, food, or beverages before anesthesia. Such substances can react negatively with anesthetic drugs and chemicals.