Waiver that Suspends Physician Supervision of CRNAs Extended Again

The commonwealth once again has extended several regulatory waivers designed to give health-care providers greater flexibility in their response to COVID-19.

Among the waivers is a provision that suspends the physician supervision requirement of a certified registered nurse anesthetist in a hospital setting.

Lawmakers unanimously approved the measure (H.B. 2401) on June 30, the last day of the state’s 2021-22 fiscal year, and the governor signed it immediately.

The governor announced the original temporary blanket waiver for advanced practice nurses and CRNAs on May 6, 2020, as part of an executive order to enhance the state’s response to the emerging health-care crisis.

The waivers have been extended several times since then, most recently in March. This latest extension means the waivers will remain in effect through Oct. 31, 2022.

Removing the supervision requirement and allowing CRNAs to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training has availed more physicians to provide hands-on care, expanded the capacity of both CRNA and physician providers, and augmented the state’s health-care system during this pandemic.

PANA Receives Excellence in State Government Relations Advocacy Award at AANA

The Excellence in State Government Relations Advocacy Award, established in 2016, is presented annually to a state association based on the quality of its efforts in the state legislative or regulatory arena for the nurse anesthesiology profession. The recipient is chosen by the AANA Government Relations Committee.

In 2021, the PANA successfully lobbied for a law that includes formal title recognition for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in statute for the first time, clarifies the CRNA relationship with physicians and dentists, and allows for CRNAs to work with podiatrists.

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AANA Presents Daniel D. Vigness Federal Political Director Award to Laura Wiggins, DNP, CRNA

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) honored Lt. Col. Laura Wiggins, DNP, CRNA, with the Daniel D. Vigness Federal Political Director Award at its Mid-Year Assembly, held in Washington, D.C. on April 2-6. Wiggins, a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), is a staff CRNA with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in Pittsburgh and chief nurse for the critical care transport team in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

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Diane Boettger, MHS, CRNA Receives the Challenge Coin from the VHA's Chief Nursing Officer During AANA-MYA

Beth Taylor, DHA, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Veterans Health Administration (left) with PANA Board Member Diane Boettger, MHS, CRNA

WHAT'S THE CHALLENGE COIN?

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PANA SITS DOWN WITH 'BEYOND THE MASK' PODCAST!

Diane Boettger, CRNA, PANA Board of Trustees being interviewed on the Beyond the Mask Podcast

Pictured Below:

Left: Beyond the Mask Podcast Co-Host Jeremy Stanley with Diane Boettger, CRNA, Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA, and Co-Host, and Sarah Trau, CRNA, PANA Board of Trustees

Middle: Sarah Trau, CRNA, PANA Board of Trustees with Co-Host Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA

Right: Beyond the Mask Podcast Co-Hosts Jeremy Stanley and Sharon Pearce, DNP, CRNA

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Diane Boettger, CRNA, PANA Board of Trustees speaking at the Region 6 Breakout Session during #AANAMYA

AANA Presents Excellence in State Government Relations Advocacy Award to Pennsylvania

Apr 1, 2022

Park Ridge, Ill. (AANA)—The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) will honor the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA) with the Excellence in State Government Relations Advocacy Award at its Mid-Year Assembly to be held in Washington, D.C., April 2-6.

The Excellence in State Government Relations Advocacy Award, established in 2016, is presented annually to a state association based on the quality of its efforts in the state legislative or regulatory arena for the nurse anesthesiology profession. The recipient is chosen by the AANA Government Relations Committee.

In 2021, the PANA successfully lobbied for a law that includes formal title recognition for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in statute for the first time, clarifies the CRNA relationship with physicians and dentists, and allows for CRNAs to work with podiatrists.

“The pandemic raised awareness of the critical roles that CRNAs play in healthcare settings and how some state policies prevented CRNAs from practicing to the fullest extent of their education and training at precisely the time they were most needed,” PANA President Lew Bennett, DNP, CRNA, said. “We are honored to be recognized by the AANA for our achievements.”

To increase the flexibility of healthcare resources, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf waived physician supervision during the pandemic. PANA used this opportunity to build relationships with legislators to support title recognition legislation.

“The relationships PANA developed with the governor and legislators will benefit CRNAs for years to come,” Bennett said. “Thank you to the many Pennsylvania CRNAs who laid the foundation for this effort, and those who will continue to fight to protect CRNA practice in the future.”

In addition, PANA developed relationships with a coalition of nursing, rural health, and other groups, including Americans for Prosperity, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and the National Guard, all of which validated and reinforced PANA’s message to legislators.

As advanced practice nurses, CRNAs are members of one of the most trusted professions according to Gallup. CRNAs provide anesthesia care across all settings and in all patient populations and are the primary anesthesia providers in rural and underserved areas and on the battlefield in forward surgical teams.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nurse anesthetists across the country have been essential in addressing the deadliest part of the disease in addition to providing top-of-the-line anesthesia care. They have served as experts in airway management, hemodynamic monitoring, management of patients on ventilators, and overall management of critically ill patients.

About the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology