Signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes certified registered nurse anesthetists, or CRNA's, to operate "in consultation with" instead of "under the supervision of" a physician, dentist or other medical professional who orders the use of anesthesia.

Highlights:

• Defines "consultation" as the manner and process utilized between a certified registered nurse anesthetist and a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or another person lawfully entitled to order anesthesia performing the procedure or directly involved with the procedure when working jointly toward a common goal of providing services for the patient (Sec. 1-7.C.i.a).

• Defines “medical procedure” as a course of action intended to achieve a result in the delivery of healthcare as consulted by a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or another person lawfully entitled to order anesthesia (Sec. 1-7.c.ii).

• Defines "peri-obstetrical" as pre-anesthetic preparation or evaluation, anesthesia induction, maintenance or emergence, or postanesthesia care of the pregnant female (Sec. 1-7.c.iii).

• Defines "perioperative" as pre-anesthetic preparation or evaluation, anesthesia induction, maintenance or emergence, or postanesthesia care of clients (Sec. 1-7.c.iv).

• Authorizes a certified registered nurse anesthetist to select, obtain, and administer Schedule II drugs only during the perioperative, perio-bstetrical, and medical procedure period (Sec. 1-7.A.ii).

• Requires the consulting party to remain immediately available for consultation during the delivery of anesthesia for diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of medical conditions (Sec. 1-7.C.b).

• Requires the hospital's administrative staff, medical staff, and the governing body to determine the guidelines on immediately available for consultation (Sec. 1-7.c)

• Specifies a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or another person lawfully entitled to order anesthesia is not liable for any act or omission of a certified registered nurse anesthetist who orders or administers anesthetics (Sec. 1-7.D).

• Specifies this act does not limit and should not be interpreted to limit the right or authority, or both, of the healthcare facility to choose an anesthesia practice model (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes certified registered nurse anesthetists, or CRNA's, to operate "in consultation with" instead of "under the supervision of" a physician, dentist or other medical professional who orders the use of anesthesia.

Highlights:

• Defines "consultation" as the manner and process utilized between a certified registered nurse anesthetist and a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or another person lawfully entitled to order anesthesia performing the procedure or directly involved with the procedure when working jointly toward a common goal of providing services for the patient (Sec. 1-7.C.i.a).

• Defines “medical procedure” as a course of action intended to achieve a result in the delivery of healthcare as consulted by a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or another person lawfully entitled to order anesthesia (Sec. 1-7.c.ii).

• Defines "peri-obstetrical" as pre-anesthetic preparation or evaluation, anesthesia induction, maintenance or emergence, or postanesthesia care of the pregnant female (Sec. 1-7.c.iii).

• Defines "perioperative" as pre-anesthetic preparation or evaluation, anesthesia induction, maintenance or emergence, or postanesthesia care of clients (Sec. 1-7.c.iv).

• Authorizes a certified registered nurse anesthetist to select, obtain, and administer Schedule II drugs only during the perioperative, perio-bstetrical, and medical procedure period (Sec. 1-7.A.ii).

• Requires the consulting party to remain immediately available for consultation during the delivery of anesthesia for diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of medical conditions (Sec. 1-7.C.b).

• Requires the hospital's administrative staff, medical staff, and the governing body to determine the guidelines on immediately available for consultation (Sec. 1-7.c)

• Specifies a licensed physician, licensed dentist, or another person lawfully entitled to order anesthesia is not liable for any act or omission of a certified registered nurse anesthetist who orders or administers anesthetics (Sec. 1-7.D).

• Specifies this act does not limit and should not be interpreted to limit the right or authority, or both, of the healthcare facility to choose an anesthesia practice model (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text