AANA Advocates for Excellence During Patient Safety Awareness Week

During Patient Safety Awareness Week, March 10-16, 2024, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) proudly joins the Institute for Healthcare Improvement in raising awareness and promote initiatives that make healthcare safer for patients and the healthcare workforce.

Advanced Practice Nurses Stand Ready to Care for America’s Most Vulnerable Populations

Today the U.S. healthcare system faces workforce shortages and expanding costs, but new legislation will allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to work at the top of their education and training to give patients across the country access to vital healthcare services.

During Oral Cancer Awareness Month, AANA Emphasizes Access to Safe Dental Anesthesia Care

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) reminds the public that the best prevention of oral health is early detection. Also, of critical importance is ensuring patients have access to safe anesthesia care when treatments including surgery are used for oral cancer.

AANA Updates, Publishes Analgesia and Anesthesia Guidelines for Obstetric Patients

To help ensure that all obstetric patients receive high-quality, safe analgesia and anesthesia care during labor and delivery, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has published its updated Analgesia and Anesthesia for the Obstetric Patient practice guidelines. This comprehensive revision is designed to provide evidence-based practice recommendations and close equity gaps in obstetric pain management and anesthesia care.

AANA Applauds the Save Our Rural Hospitals Act That Eliminates CRNA Supervision and Supports Rural Healthcare

Last week, U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO) and Jared Huffman (D-CA) reintroduced the “Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act” (H.R. 833). Along with providing enhanced payments to rural healthcare providers to help ensure the viability of these important local healthcare facilities, this legislation also includes a provision to permanently remove physician supervision of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), under Medicare Part A conditions of participation and a provision to include non-medically directed CRNA services as a mandatory benefit under the Medicaid program.

During National Children’s Dental Health Month, AANA Emphasizes Access to Safe Dental Anesthesia Care

Rosemont, Ill. (AANA) – February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) reminds parents of the importance of not only knowing how to keep your child’s teeth healthy, but also ensuring that they have access to safe dental anesthesia care. This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers, and many others.

National CRNA Week: The House of Representatives Recognizes the Contributions of Nurse Anesthetists

In honor of National CRNA Week (Jan. 22-28, 2023), members of the U.S. House of Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Dave Joyce (R-OH), Lauren Underwood (D-IL), Don Bacon (R-NE), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Jill Tokuda (D-HI) introduced a bipartisan House Resolution 55 on the House floor, “Recognizing the roles and the contributions of America’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their critical role in providing quality health care for the public and our nation’s armed forces, for more than 150 years as the first anesthesia providers.”

Role of CRNAs in Pain Management Included in Final CDC Clinical Practice Guidelines

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) applauds the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for providing more flexibility and clarity in their updated Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids. The final guidelines include acknowledgment of the role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) as pain care providers, how pain care is administered, and the consideration for nonopioid therapies for subacute and chronic pain.