California updates guidance on CRNA scope of practice

Editor's Note

Confusion about the scope of practice for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) prompted The California Department of Public Health to update guidelines for acute care hospitals, MedPage Today reported September 18.

Issued after violations at two Modesto hospitals resulted in hundreds of cancelled surgeries, a letter from the department says CRNAs can administer anesthesia after a physician’s order under authority granted by the Nursing Practice Act. However, CRNAs are not authorized to practice medicine or surgery. Hospitals are tasked with ensuring policies for granting expanded role privileges to registered nurses are managed by their Committee on Interdisciplinary Practice.

Representatives from both the California Society of Anesthesiologists (CSA) and the California Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (CANA)—the latter of which objected to the Modesto hospital citations—told MedPage they appreciated the clarification. The full report offers further context on the incident as well as comments from both organizations.