Safety

Anesthesia licensing draws criticism in DC

Ambulatory Safety Monitor, June 2, 2004

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Ambulatory Safety Monitor!

Critics say a bill currently being considered by the city council in Washington, DC, to license anesthesiologist assistants in the city would put patients at risk.

The city council is considering a bill to license healthcare workers to administer anesthesia to patients in an effort to reduce the shortage of professionals qualified to do so. The DC Association of Nurse Anesthetists believes the bill makes licensing too easy and that anesthesiologist assistants may not have enough training and background to work in an operating room.

The organization wants anesthesiologist assistants to first become physician assistants, who can prescribe medicine and perform surgery in some states. The original bill included the physician assistant requirement, but legislators removed it when physicians and hospitals said it would worsen the healthcare-worker shortage.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Ambulatory Safety Monitor!

    Hospital Safety Center
  • Hospital Safety Center

    Improve compliance with hospital safety standards from The Joint Commission, OSHA, and other regulators with this...

  • Healthcare Life Safety Compliance

    Learn Life Safety Code tips and interpretations for healthcare facilities with this in-depth monthly resource.

  • Hospital Safety Connection

    Stay on top of hospital safety requirements and best practices with our free, fast-paced weekly update.

  • Administering Your OSHA Program

    This course will help an employee new to the role of OSHA safety officer. It gives an overview of OSHA requirements and...

  • Medical OSHA Manual Combo

    Get into compliance with Quality America's OSHA Safety Program Manual and stay in compliance with OSHA Watch Newsletter...

Most Popular

Related Articles