New Study Adds Evidence to Benefits of Full Practice Authority

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the commonwealth issued a temporary blanket waiver that enabled advanced practice nurses, including certified registered nurse anesthetists, to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training to enhance the state’s response to the health-care crisis.

A new study, “Impact of reduced restrictions in scope of practice of nurse anesthetists on patient safety across states,” published in Journal of Nursing Regulation, makes clear that was the right thing to do — and that the move led to real health-care benefits for patients.

The authors examined the impact of the pandemic-related reduced restrictions in scope of practice, specifically allowing CRNAs to practice to the full extent of their education and training, on anesthesia-related complications rates.

What they found is that there was a statistically significant reduction in anesthesia complications in states that allowed pandemic-related reduced restrictions in state scope of practice compared to states with no change in scope of practice.

In other words, the authors concluded that reduced restrictions in state scope of practice during the pandemic were not associated with any increase but in fact showed a decrease in anesthesia-related complications.

These findings add to existing evidence on the safety of anesthesia procedures performed by CRNAs and expand the evidence to include safe procedures during the pandemic. The findings inform strategic planning and public policy to reform the health-care system to prepare prudently for future emergencies.

Read the full report HERE.

State Board of Nursing Regulation #16A-5145: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and Fees

The Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing recently published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin its proposed rulemaking to recognize and license “certified registered nurse anesthetists” as intended under Act 60 of 2021. It’s an exciting moment – the culmination of years of hard work by so many!

The rulemaking solidifies the scope of practice for these highly trained, advanced professionals to administer anesthesia in cooperation with and under the overall direction of licensed physicians, podiatrists, and dentists, while setting licensing fees and certification standards. It also updates provisions relating to licensure by endorsement and mandatory child abuse education and training, and updates reactivation fees provisions for clinical nurse specialists.

The rulemaking includes a public comment period that runs through July 28, 2025.

CLICK HERE to read the entire proposed rulemaking, and PANA will continue to share updates with members.

Shapiro Makes Push for Full Practice Authority in Budget Speech

Budgets are about more than just numbers. They’re also about policy priorities.

On Feb. 4, Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled his proposed spending plan for the 2025-26 fiscal year. In a 91-minute speech before a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in Harrisburg, the governor unveiled his $51 billion blueprint, an increase of approximately 8.5% over the current year.

Beyond the myriad line items, the governor also outlined several initiatives where the legislature and administration could work together to strengthen the state’s health-care network, no matter where residents live.

Among his objectives is granting full practice authority to nurse practitioners. This would allow NPs to evaluate patients; diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests; and initiate and manage treatments — including prescribing medications — under the exclusive licensure authority of the state board of nursing.

The effort is not too dissimilar from efforts by the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists to advance scope of practice legislation, which would allow certified registered nurse anesthetists to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training, thus increasing access to high-quality anesthesia care.

According to the administration, there simply aren’t enough primary care physicians to meet the needs of patients in rural, suburban, and urban communities across the commonwealth. Many residents already have experienced the effects via long wait times for appointments, difficulties finding a mental health provider accepting new patients, and having to travel long distances to neighboring counties for prenatal and maternal care.

This is especially true in rural areas, where full practice authority could really help, Shapiro said in his speech. “In rural counties, there is one primary care physician for every 522 residents,” he said.

Full practice authority for NPs has been successfully enacted in 27 other states.

Learn more about the issue HERE.