Important Message to PANA Members

March 25, 2020

Dear PANA Members:

Earlier today, the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists sent a letter to Gov. Tom Wolf and state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, urging them to formally recognize certified registered nurse anesthetists and to act swiftly to give our professionals the ability to practice to the full extent of our education and training to help Pennsylvania respond to the COVID-19 health-care crisis.

You can read the entire letter here: https://bit.ly/3akUMb0.

As frontline health-care professionals, we play a crucial role in the state’s response to this pandemic. Unfortunately, the full contribution of CRNAs is being limited.

First, in Pennsylvania, education and training for CRNAs is extensive. Yet, there are limits placed on our practice, even though those limits are not based on any data or research, and CRNAs can safely practice beyond these limits. New York, West Virginia, Maine and Arizona already have acted to remove barriers on CRNAs to better utilize all available providers to respond to this health-care crisis without risking patient safety. Pennsylvania should do the same.

Second, Pennsylvania remains one of only two states (New York is the other) that fails to recognize CRNA professional designation in some form, meaning we are recognized only as registered nurses. In times of need, CRNAs are in demand to help with crisis response. But Pennsylvania-based CRNAs cannot be part of response teams in other states that are asking for help --- and so many are --- simply because we lack the formal credentials that nearly every other state recognizes. That needs to change.

Now, we need you to take action, too.

First, send a personal message to Gov. Wolf and urge him to act on the health-care proposals PANA included in its letter. Fill out the form here: https://www.governor.pa.gov/contact/#OnlineForm.

This is all you need to say (there is a 1,000-character limit):

Gov. Wolf: As a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) in Pennsylvania, I stand ready to help our commonwealth address the health-care crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, PANA, our statewide association, sent you a letter (which you can access here: https://bit.ly/3akUMb0), urging you to formally recognize CRNAs and allow us to practice to the full extent of our education and training to help Pennsylvania respond in this time of need. Other states already have acted to remove barriers on CRNAs to better utilize all available providers to respond to this health-care crisis without risking patient safety. Pennsylvania should do the same. As frontline health-care professionals, we play a crucial role in the state’s response to this pandemic. Please make these changes so we can help even more. Thank you.

Next, contact your local legislators. Ask them to please contact the governor and secretary and urge them to take fast action on the proposals made by PANA to address this health-care crisis. You can find your lawmakers here: https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator.

This is all you need to say:

As your constituent, I wanted to be sure you knew that PANA, our statewide association, sent a letter (which you can access here: https://bit.ly/3akUMb0) to Gov. Tom Wolf and state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine, urging them to formally recognize CRNAs and allow us to practice to the full extent of our education and training to help Pennsylvania respond to the COVID-19 health-care crisis. As a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), we play a crucial role in the state’s response to this pandemic, along with other frontline health-care professionals. Unfortunately, too many barriers are blocking our work. There are limits placed on our practice, even though those limits are not based on any data or research, and the state’s lack of credentialing limits emergency response. Please read our letter and urge the governor and his administration to act swiftly. Other states are acting. It is time for Pennsylvania to do the same. Thank you.

Like the rest of the country, we are watching with deep concern as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect a world already brought to a standstill. PANA continues to monitor the situation. But our culture is built on helping people. I hope we can count on you to do your part to advocate for our profession so we can get these changes made and fulfill our mission of keeping residents healthy and safe.

CRNAs Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic

As our country and the commonwealth continue their aggressive measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Pennsylvania’s certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are taking action to ensure public health and safety.

As the hands-on providers of anesthesia care, operating safely in every setting where anesthesia is administered, CRNAs, like so many other health-care professionals, are on the frontline. That makes the profession a critical part of the national response.

“CRNAs hold leadership positions in their institutions of care and help to create policy about how best to protect fellow providers and patients,” said Angelarosa G. DiDonato, DNP, CRNA, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA). “Our top priority is always public health and safety.”

As a precaution, many Pennsylvania hospitals are choosing to cancel elective cases requiring anesthesia, except where a condition is emergent or urgent and essential to the health of the patient. All decisions are made in consultation and coordination with patients and surgical teams.

CRNAs also are changing the way they work with patient airways, as COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that is characterized by mild to severe symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties.

The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is providing resources to support CRNAs as they develop strategic steps for managing patients with expected or confirmed infection. These tips go beyond meticulous hygiene and strict environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures to intubation and aerosolization techniques.

Excellence in care, safety, and continuous improvement of care are hallmarks of the anesthesia profession.

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Health is reporting new cases daily, which means everyone has a role to play. Remember these simple tips to protect yourself, your family and your community:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Avoid crowds and stay home, even when no exhibiting signs and symptoms.

• If you must work or be in public, follow guidelines for social distancing (stay six feet others).

Thank you for all you do always, but especially in times of crisis like we face together today. Be smart and be safe. Don’t hesitate to contact PANA with questions.

Nurse Anesthetists in Pa. Ensure Patient Safety, Help to Control Rising Health-care Costs

Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists

CONTACT: Kurt Knaus; P: 717-724-2866; E: kurt@ceislermedia.com

Nurse Anesthetists in Pa. Ensure Patient Safety,

Help to Control Rising Health-care Costs

HARRISBURG (Jan. 20, 2020) --- Pennsylvania ranks among the top draws nationally for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) and students, with 13 highly rated nurse anesthetist programs serving every corner of the commonwealth and helping to sustain one of the largest contingencies of professionals in the country.

This week marks CRNA Week in Pennsylvania, when patients, hospital administrators, health-care professionals, policy-makers, and others learn more about CRNAs and the work they do to keep patients safe and help reduce the cost of health care. The week-long celebration runs in conjunction with the 21st annual National CRNA Week from Jan. 19 to Jan. 25.

“Surgery and anesthesia can be intimidating,” said Angelarosa G. DiDonato, DNP, CRNA, president of the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists (PANA). “That’s why it’s so important for people to understand the vital role CRNAs play as a patient advocate. We stay with our patients for every heartbeat and every breath, administering their anesthetics and watching over their vital signs. We never leave their side.”

Pennsylvania is recognized as a leader in anesthesia education and training, with 13 programs spread throughout Allegheny, Columbia, Erie, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Montgomery, Philadelphia, Westmoreland and York counties. (For a full list of programs, visit www.PANAforQualityCare.com and click “Resources.”)

CRNAs are the hands-on providers of anesthesia care, operating safely in every setting where anesthesia is administered, including hospital operating and delivery rooms; ambulatory surgical centers; the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons; pain management centers and more.

The nation’s 54,000 CRNAs and student registered nurse anesthetists safely and cost-effectively provide more than 49 million anesthetics each year. PANA itself represents more than 3,700 CRNAs and students across the state --- one of the largest contingencies in the country.

The role CRNAs play in Pennsylvania’s and the nation’s health-care system is expansive.

CRNAs are the main providers of anesthesia care in rural communities and medically underserved areas, delivering essential health care and preventing gaps in services. CRNAs also are battle-tested, serving on the front lines since World War I as the main providers of anesthesia care to U.S. military personnel in austere combat theaters.

With advanced degrees and a high level of education and clinical experience, CRNAs are able to deliver the same safe, high-quality anesthesia care as other anesthesia professionals but at a lower cost, helping to control the nation’s rising health-care costs.

Because of their training and experience, numerous medical studies show there is no statistical difference in patient outcomes when a nurse anesthetist provides treatment. In fact, these studies by nationally recognized health-care policy and research organizations prove that CRNAs provide high-quality care, even for rare and difficult procedures.

That’s because CRNAs are with the patient throughout the entire procedure. Anesthesiologists, on the other hand, may have several cases to attend to simultaneously, or they may be somewhere else handling another response.

CRNAs provide routine anesthesia care but also quickly respond to patient changes and emergencies during surgical and medical procedures, ensuring patient health and safety.

For more information about certified registered nurse anesthetists in Pennsylvania, visit www.PANAforQualityCare.com or follow along on social media via Twitter at @PANACRNA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PANACRNA.

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