Although an patients may prefer to...

Although an patients may prefer to have anesthesia administered by means of an anesthesiologist, administration of anesthesia on a certified RN anesthetist (CRNA) is just as safe, according to a latter article in the AANA Journal. Researchers reviewed Medicare data and the mortality rates from more than 400000 steps to determine whether an anesthesiologist alone, a CRNA alone, or a team of an anesthesiologist and a CRNA performed better.

inquiry results showed no significant difference in risk-adjusted mortality rates by way of type of anesthesia care provider. difficulty and other high-risk procedures were exclud from the consideration thereby increasing the probability that coexisting serious acute conditions were not quick in emergencies at the time of surgery

The close attention however, has some limitations. Non-Medicare cases were not included, and Medicare data may not capture the genuine preoperative risk of death. Also, the Medicare database does not permit precise identification of cause of death.

M Pine, K D Holt Y Lou "Surgical mortality and token of anesthesia provider," AANA Journal 71 (April 2003) 109-116

COPYRIGHT 2003 Association of Operating space Nurses, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group