Maryland may soon join the 18 other states that let anesthesiologist assistants provide anesthesia care under the supervision of licensed anesthesiologists. Laws proposed in both the House and Senate call for the state’s Board of Physicians to develop regulations for the licensure and practice of AAs and create an Anesthesiologist Assistants Advisory Committee.
The Maryland Association of Nurse Anesthetists strongly opposes the bill, warning that its passage "would radically change the model of anesthesia delivery" in the state and put patients in danger because "AAs do not need to have any prior healthcare experience or a healthcare related degree for admission to a two-year anesthesiologist assistant program." However, the American Society of Anesthesiologists disagrees with the contention that AAs are not qualified practitioners and recognizes and supports them as "a member of the Anesthesia Care Team."
Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Hospital supports the proposal to license AAs, citing a shortage of anesthesia providers in the state. "The most up-to-date data for Maryland hospitals show that the availability of CRNAs is not meeting the critical need for non-MD anesthesia care providers," writes Gary Stephenson, senior associate director of media relations for Johns Hopkins, in a statement. He cites the 2007 Maryland Hospital Association Hospital Personnel Survey, in which Maryland hospitals reported a 21.5 percent vacancy rate for CRNAs and an average 90-day wait to fill vacant CRNA positions. "The goal [of licensing AAs] is to fully staff anesthesia departments," says Mr. Stephenson, "not to replace certified nurse anesthetists."
In a press release, MANA argues the legislation is unnecessary because "the University of Maryland School of Nursing has said it is capable and willing to expand its proven nurse anesthesia program to meet any perceived workforce shortages." A state Senate hearing on the bill is scheduled for March 11.
—Irene Tsikitas
