Certified registered nurse anesthetists.
If enacted, this bill would significantly impact healthcare delivery in Indiana by enhancing the role of CRNAs and facilitating their collaboration with podiatrists and dentists. Currently, CRNAs are authorized to work with physicians, but this extension could lead to improved efficiency in patient care in non-physician settings. Additionally, the bill states that neither a physician, podiatrist, nor dentist will be liable for any actions taken by CRNAs during anesthesia administration, which shifts some liability away from these healthcare providers.
House Bill 1371 proposes amendments to the Indiana Code regarding the scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). The bill allows CRNAs to administer anesthesia under the direction and immediate presence of a podiatrist or dentist, in addition to physicians as permitted by existing laws. This provision aims to expand the operational scope of CRNAs, thus potentially increasing the availability of anesthesia services in various medical settings, especially in dental and podiatric offices.
Discussions surrounding HB 1371 may highlight concerns regarding patient safety and the appropriateness of the CRNAs' expanded role in anesthesia administration. Critics might argue that the existing training and experience of CRNAs are more suited to work under a physician's supervision rather than with podiatrists or dentists, who may not have the same level of training concerning anesthesia. Proponents, however, argue that broadening the scope of practice encourages better utilization of CRNAs and improves healthcare service delivery, especially in areas with a shortage of anesthesiologists.