Texas Senate Bill SB1992

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to physician delegation of the provision of anesthesia services to certain anesthesiologist assistants.

Impact

The implementation of SB1992 is expected to enhance the efficiency of anesthesia administration in various surgical settings across Texas. By enabling anesthesiologist assistants to take on more responsibilities, the bill could potentially alleviate the workload of anesthesiologists, allowing them to focus on more complex cases or other critical aspects of patient care. This shift may lead to a better allocation of resources within healthcare facilities, contributing to improved surgical outcomes and potentially reducing wait times for patients requiring anesthesia during procedures.

Summary

SB1992 amends the Occupations Code of Texas to allow supervising anesthesiologists to delegate the administration of anesthetic services to qualified anesthesiologist assistants. The bill establishes certain qualifications for anesthesiologist assistants, specifically that they must have passed a certifying examination and hold a certification issued by the National Commission for Certification of Anesthesiologist Assistants or its successor. This legislation aims to optimize the provision of anesthesia services in licensed hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers, ensuring that patient care can be facilitated by qualified assistants under the supervision of licensed specialists.

Contention

While SB1992 generally received support for its potential to streamline healthcare delivery, there are concerns regarding the safety and implications of delegation in anesthesia services. Critics argue that granting more responsibilities to anesthesiologist assistants could compromise patient safety if not adequately monitored. The bill's proponent must address these concerns to ensure that the delegation powers do not lead to adverse outcomes in anesthesia administration. Therefore, the discussions surrounding SB1992 highlight a balance between improving healthcare efficiency and maintaining the highest safety standards for patients undergoing anesthesia.