English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
Esperanto
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
UrduThe American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) issued ta statement in response to Kaiser Permanente’s announcement that Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Options, Inc., effective November 1, 2024, will not reimburse anesthesia services when submitted without the appropriate modifiers identifying who performed the service, and that it will be reducing QZ services rendered by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists to 85% of the Physician Fee Schedule.
Tag: Anesthesia
American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Statement Regarding Anthem’s Policy Reversal on Anesthesia Care Payment
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is pleased that Anthem has reversed course on its deeply flawed policy proposal to no longer pay for anesthesia care if the surgery or procedure goes beyond an arbitrary, Anthem-set time limit, regardless of how long the surgical procedure actually takes.
Chicago Tribune Names American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology a Winner of its Top Workplaces 2024 Award
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has once again been selected as a Top Workplaces honor by Chicago Tribune. This is the third time since 2021 AANA has received this honor and the second consecutive year.
Comparison of Needle Depth Techniques for the Posterior Superior Alveolar Block
Purpose The posterior superior alveolar (PSA) block injection is one of many techniques used to provide profound anesthesia for invasive dental procedures. This technique has a high success rate but is not without complication risks. The purpose of this study was…
Dr. Mark Bicket Named ASRA Pain Medicine Presidential Scholar
Described as an “internationally recognized academic figure in the field of pain medicine,” Dr. Mark Bicket is a Presidential Scholar Award recipient.
Exposure to Wildfire Smoke May Affect Patients Undergoing Surgery
Nearly 100 wildfires are currently raging throughout the country, burning more than 2 million acres.
Researchers Conduct First-of-Its-Kind Review of Anesthesia Exposure’s Impact on Childhood Brain Development
Anesthesia makes it possible for infants and children to undergo medical procedures and surgeries that save or improve the quality of their lives. Some children must receive anesthesia multiple times while very young. While anesthesia is an essential tool, it may also disrupt the developing brain, leading to later cognitive and behavioral issues.
AANA Presents U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin With National Health Leadership Award
The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) recognized U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) as the winner of its National Health Leadership Award for 2024 at its Mid-Year Assembly, April 20-24, in Washington, DC.
Weight loss and diabetes management drug linked to increased residual gastric content before anesthesia
Safety concerns for patients undergoing anesthesia who use glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), which are medications approved for diabetes and weight management, were revealed in a UTHealth Houston study published today in JAMA Surgery.
Social inequity is linked to lower use of epidural in childbirth
In a study of women in labor in the U. S., social inequity was associated with lower use of neuraxial analgesia — an epidural or spinal pain reliever– among non-Hispanic White women and, to a greater extent, among African American women, according to research at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (P&S).
AANA Recognizes World Anesthesia Day, Supports Better Care and Access for Anesthesia
American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) recognizes World Anesthesia Day as an opportunity to honor the global-minded focus of better care and access for anesthesia. World Anesthesia Day commemorates the birth of anesthesia on October 16, 1846, when providers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston demonstrated the use of ether for the first time on a patient.
Changing Dosing Methods Means Fewer Mice Needed to Study Lung Infections
Researchers will need fewer mice to study lung infections thanks to improvements in dosing methods, according to a new study from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF).
Patients Taking Popular Medications for Diabetes and Weight Loss Should Stop Before Elective Surgery, ASA Suggests
With the growing popularity of medications like Ozempic® (semaglutide), Trulicity® (dulaglutide), and other glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight loss, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) suggests withholding the medication before elective surgery to reduce the risk of complications associated with anesthesia in adults and children.
MALS Awareness Day sheds light on underdiagnosed painful GI condition
Most people – including physicians – are unfamiliar with a condition called Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), which causes debilitating chronic abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms. That’s why getting diagnosed with MALS often can be a long and painful road…
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.
Additional anesthesiology residency positions may help hospitals save costs, address projected workforce shortages of anesthesia care professionals
Expanding anesthesiology residency programs — even in the absence of federal funding — may help medical institutions save staffing costs and address projected shortages of anesthesia care professionals, suggests a first-of-its-kind study being presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ ADVANCE 2023, the Anesthesiology Business Event.
Incorrectly recorded anesthesia start times cost medical centers and anesthesia practices significant revenue
Inaccurately recording the start of anesthesia care during a procedure is common and results in significant lost billing time for anesthesia practices and medical centers, suggests a study being presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ ADVANCE 2023, the Anesthesiology Business Event.
Reducing anesthetics during surgery decreases greenhouse gases without affecting patient care, study shows
Anesthesiologists can play a role in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming by decreasing the amount of anesthetic gas provided during procedures without compromising patient care, suggests new research being presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ ADVANCE 2023, the Anesthesiology Business Event.
Mass Eye and Ear appoints Benjamin K. Mizell, MD, as Chief of Anesthesia
Benjamin K. Mizell, MD, an anesthesiologist with a proven track record of leading major Mass Eye and Ear initiatives including its electronic medical record integration, has been named chief of Anesthesia at Mass Eye and Ear.
American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Neuromuscular Blockade Guidelines Will Improve Patient Safety and Satisfaction
The latest guidance in addressing proper monitoring and reversal of neuromuscular blockade drugs during general anesthesia – a major advance in patient safety and satisfaction – was published today in Anesthesiology, the American Society of Anesthesiologist’s (ASA) peer-reviewed medical journal.
Increased Precision and Safety in Spinal Tap with PASS – An Ultrasound-Guided Lumbar Puncture Procedure
PASS (Point-Assisted Spinal Sonography), an ultrasound-guided lumbar puncture device from Chula doctors and engineers, helps increase the precision and confidence in spinal tap procedures while reducing risks and pain for patients.
ASA Celebrates Passage of David Scott Amendment that Ensures Physician-led Anesthesia Care for Veterans
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) applauds Congressional passage of the amendment by U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13) that ensures the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) continues to provide safe, high-quality anesthesia care for our nation’s Veterans.
New Drugs with High Abuse Potential More Likely to Be Approved, Go to Market to Treat Pain
CHICAGO – “Despite the prevalence and societal costs of pain in the United States, investment in pain medication development is low, due in part to poor understanding of the probability of successful development of such medications,” said the authors of a study published Online First in Anesthesiology, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA).
Spinal anesthesia associated with more pain, prescription analgesic use after hip surgery compared with general anesthesia
A randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing spinal versus general anesthesia for hip surgery found that spinal anesthesia was associated with worse pain immediately after surgery and higher rates of pain reliever prescriptions at 60 days. However, differences in pain, satisfaction, or mental status between the two interventions seemed to diminish at 60, 180, or 365 days after surgery. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
Anesthesia for Knee Replacement Surgery Has Considerable Carbon Footprint
Anesthesia for a single total knee replacement surgery has a carbon footprint equivalent to driving a car 42 miles, according to a study published Online First in Anesthesiology, the official peer-reviewed journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists.
No adverse cognitive effects of ketamine or esketamine for treatment-resistant depression
Used for the treatment of depression that does not respond to standard antidepressant medications, the anesthesia drug ketamine – and the related drug esketamine, recently approved for depression treatment – has no important adverse effects on memory, attention, or other cognitive processes, concludes a systematic review of medical research in the September/October issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.
New study aims to prioritize the patient recovery experience when determining anesthetic options
Researchers from University of Michigan and Washington University in St. Louis receive $33 million in funding to lead a study comparing anesthetic medications
Low doses of “laughing gas” could be fast acting, highly effective treatment for severe depression
A new study at the University of Chicago Medicine and Washington University found that a single inhalation session with 25% nitrous oxide gas was nearly as effective as 50% nitrous oxide at rapidly relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, with fewer adverse side effects.
UChicago Medicine designated SOAP Center of Excellence for obstetric anesthesia
UChicago Medicine has been designated by the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology as a SOAP Center of Excellence for its obstetric anesthesia program.
Sleep disorders and surgery: Anesthesia & Analgesia marks first decade of the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine
An estimated 50 million people undergo surgery each year in the United States, and a significant proportion of them have undiagnosed or untreated sleep disorders (SD) or sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Issues at the intersection of anesthesiology and sleep medicine are the focus of the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine (SASM) whose 10th anniversary is commemorated in the special theme May issue of Anesthesia & Analgesia.
Researchers find a better way to measure consciousness
Millions of people are administered general anesthesia each year in the United States alone, but it’s not always easy to tell whether they are actually unconscious. A small proportion of those patients regain some awareness during medical procedures, but a new study of the brain activity that represents consciousness could prevent that potential trauma.
Aileen Starnbach, MD named Chair of Anesthesia at Mount Auburn Hospital
Aileen Starnbach, MD, has been named Chair of Anesthesia at Mount Auburn Hospital.
American Society of Anesthesiologists Commends Congress for Work on Surprise Medical Bills and Medicare Payment Cuts in 2nd COVID-19 Stimulus Bill; But Vows to Continue to Work for Revisions and Enhancements for a Fair Resolution on Both
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) is pleased that a number of ASA’s priorities were addressed in the most recent COVID-19 stimulus bill; some improvements to the final surprise medical bill provisions and partial relief from the previous draconian Medicare cuts scheduled for January 1, 2021.
Memorial Sloan Kettering Awards and Appointments
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) announces its most recent awards and appointments for the institution’s physicians, scientists, nurses, and staff.
Register Now: Virtual ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2020
We’re only a few weeks away from the largest annual anesthesiology educational event in the world — ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2020 — the annual meeting of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), where thousands of experts in the specialty of anesthesiology will come together virtually for the first time ever.
Proposed Medicare Cuts Threaten Anesthesiology Practices Already Struggling Amid Pandemic
Medicare has proposed drastic cuts to its payment rates for important health care services, threatening the practices of physician anesthesiologists who have been on the front lines of the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) opposes these detrimental payment reductions, and urges Congress to take action to override the budget neutrality requirements that are the cause for these cuts and thereby ensure physician anesthesiologists can continue to care for their patients while being more fairly compensated for their work.
Laughing gas may bring relief to veterans suffering from PTSD, new study suggests
A small pilot study provides an early glimpse of how some veterans struggling with PTSD may benefit from one simple, inexpensive treatment involving nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas.
Mouse Study Highlights Neurotransmitter Differences When Awake and Under Anesthesia
Article title: Neurotransmitter networks in mouse prefrontal cortex are reconfigured by isoflurane anesthesia Authors: Xiaoying Zhang, Aaron G. Baer, Joshua M. Price, Piet C. Jones, Benjamin J. Garcia, Jonathon Romero, Ashley M. Cliff, Weidong Mi, James B. Brown, Daniel A.…
Adolescent exposure to anesthetics may cause alcohol use disorder, new research shows
Early exposure to anesthetics may make adolescents more susceptible to developing alcohol use disorder (AUD), according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.
Rates of Pulmonary Complications Drastically Reduced with Newer Drug
Improved pulmonary outcomes in surgical patients who receive the drug sugammadex could be due to a more complete reversal of the effects of muscle relaxants used during surgery.
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Converting Anesthesia Machines to Ventilators for COVID-19
Michael McLaughlin, an assistant professor and assistant program director of the Rutgers Nurse Anesthesia program, who has been on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis and intubated many COVID-19 patients, discusses how this conversion works and how it helps to alleviate the ventilator shortage
General Anesthetic Exposure During Adolescence Might Contribute to Developing Alcohol Use Disorder
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – General anesthetic exposure during adolescence may be an environmental risk factor contributing to an enhanced susceptibility to developing alcohol use disorders, according to researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York. Adolescent alcohol abuse can lead…
Patients in South Dakota Will Have Access to Affordable Quality Care, Thanks to a Law that Extends Authority of Nurse Anesthetists
Effective July 1, CRNAs in South Dakota can collaborate with dentists, podiatrists, and other providers, in addition to medical doctors.
Alcohol, adolescence, and anesthesia: identifying risk factors for alcohol use disorder
Alcohol misuse is common among adolescents, and increases the risk of developing a chronic alcohol use disorder (AUD) in the future. Adolescents respond differently to alcohol compared with adults — they tend to be less sensitive to some of the negative effects of drinking that help protect against excessive intake, but more sensitive to its rewarding and memory-impairing effects. This may contribute to the high rates of alcohol misuse in adolescence, as well as to an elevated risk of developing AUD. However, as not all adolescents who drink alcohol will develop an AUD, it is important to identify factors that may further increase propensity to abuse alcohol in this age-group. Researchers from the State University of New York at Binghamton are interested in the potential impact of having a general anaesthetic, in view of evidence that exposure to anesthesia in adolescence can cause behavioral alterations similar to those induced by alcohol. In a new study published in the journal Alcoh
Physician Anesthesiologist Can Discuss Hospital Infection Precautions in the Wake of Coronavirus Outbreak
With 15 COVID-19 cases now reported in the U.S. and continued transmission likely, health care professionals including physician anesthesiologists are taking steps to increase infection control measures at health care facilities and hospitals nationwide. These steps are even more urgent…
ASA Encouraged by Ways and Means Framework on Surprise Bills, Urges Striking of Median In-Network Rate Setting
Today, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), representing more than 54,000 members, applauded the House Ways and Means Committee’s legislative framework to address surprise medical bills, while encouraging further refinement of the legislation.
“We applaud the Ways and Means Committee for its continued efforts to protect patients from surprise medical bills and we are encouraged by the legislative framework. It is an improvement over other House Committees’ work product,” said ASA President Mary Dale Peterson, M.D., MSCHA, FACHE, FASA. “We look forward to continuing to work with Congress and this Committee to refine and improve the legislation, especially to ensure that any solution ensures a fair playing field for disputes between insurance companies and physicians. In particular, we urge the Committee to refine the proposal by eliminating the median in-network rate-setting mechanism.”
ASA Troubled by Impact of Education and Labor Committee Surprise Bill Legislation, Urges Support for Key Amendments
Today, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), representing more than 54,000 members, expressed serious concerns with the surprise medical bills legislation released by the House Education and Labor Committee as drafted. The Society expresses strong support amendments to address the bill’s pro-insurer orientation.
National CRNA Week: The House of Representatives Recognizes the Contributions of Nurse Anesthetists
In honor of National CRNA Week (Jan. 19-25, 2020), Reps. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA), and Sam Graves (R-MO) today introduced a bipartisan resolution on the House floor, “Recognizing the roles and the contributions of America’s Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and their role in providing quality health care for the public.”
American Society of Anesthesiologists Announces Continued Partnership with Fresenius Kabi as Industry Supporter
The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) announced today that Fresenius Kabi USA will continue its partnership with ASA as an ASA Industry Supporter. Fresenius Kabi is a global health care company that specializes in medicines and technologies for infusion, transfusion and clinical nutrition. It is a leading provider of affordable, generic anesthesia medicines in the United States.