Q: Is anesthesia safe?
A: Statistics show that anesthesia today is safer and more effective than ever
before. Advancements in monitoring technology and anesthetic drugs, extensive specialty
education and training, and high 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 work with your surgeon, dentist or podiatrist,
and may work with an anesthesiologist, who is a physician trained in the
specialty of anesthesia. CRNAs are advanced practice nurses with
specialized graduate-level education in anesthesia. For more than 100 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.
Q: Will a 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 in a specific region of the body; and local anesthesia produces a loss
of sensation in a small, specific area of the body.
Q: What determines which type
of anesthesia is best for me?
A: The anesthesia chosen for you is based on factors such as your physical
condition, the types of medication you are taking, the nature of the surgery and your reactions to medications.
Q: Do different types of
patients require different types of anesthesia?
A: Many factors go into determining the best anesthetic and administration
technique for each person. Pregnant patients, children, older adults and
patients with hereditary disorders such as diabetes or sickle cell anemia all
require special consideration. Even lifestyle choices such as tobacco and
alcohol use can influence the anesthesia selection process.
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
more than 100 years and have played significant roles in developing the
practice.
Q: What is the difference
between a CRNA and an 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 processes in the provision of anesthesia and related services.
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.
Q: What educational qualifications must all CRNAs have?
A:
As advanced practice nurses, CRNAs receive their specialty anesthesia education
in approximately 106 accredited programs offering a master’s degree. Admission
requirements include a bachelors of science, nursing (BSN) or other appropriate degree,
registered nurse (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, each graduate has to complete 450 cases and have
approximately 1,000 hours of hands-on clinical experience. 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. The bottom line is you don’t
have to be a physician to administer anesthesia.
Q: Where can consumers get
more information about anesthesia?
A: Consumers are encouraged to call the American Association of Nurse
Anesthetists at (847) 692-7050, or visit the web site at www.aana.com
