Two state lawmakers filed a bill to lessen state guardrails imposed on Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) by allowing them to perform their work without illusory physician supervision.
Rep. Mike Giallombardo (R-Cape Coral) sponsored HB 649 in the House and Sen. Ana Marie Rodriguez (R-Doral) sponsored SB 718 in the Senate. Giallombardo explained his bill in the House Health and Professions & Programs Subcommittee yesterday.
"Currently in law, it's required for all nurse anesthetists to have a paper protocol, paper supervision signed by any type of physician," Giallombardo said. Doesn't have to be an anesthesiologist. What this bill does [is] it removes that paper protocol to allow them the opportunity to practice sound sleep."
CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in anesthesia services. Forty-three states do not restrict CRNAs to perform Nurse Practice Acts, which allows them to practice independently without unnecessary restrictions.
Notably, Florida is one of seven states that requires a general paper protocol from a physician or dentist, which the release argued adds an unnecessary guardrail to care.
According to a previous release, SB 718/HB 649 would "increase access to health care, lower health care costs and maintain patient quality of care."
Rep. Mike Redondo (R-Miami) asked Giallombardo if there were many cases of an anesthesiologist who's providing the protocol.
"We did do a survey and out of about 475 CRNAs it shows that eighty percent of them are practicing under the supervision of not an anesthesiologist. So Gastros (gastroenterologists), dentists, and different types of specialists," Giallombardo said.
Redondo also asked Giallombardo what the supervision was with the CRNA.
"The answer is they don't have to be in the room. In many cases, they are not even incentivized to be involved in that anesthesia procedure. If they do advise or do anything in that process, they are now liable," Giallombardo said. In many cases [in] the current system they are not liable. So a dentist that probably doesn't have much training in anesthesia, they are not going to chime in, they may not even be in the room when it's happening."
Another lawmaker, Rep. Lavon Bracey Davis (D-Tallahassee), asked Giallombardo if the CRNA would need insurance.
"Yes. They are required to have insurance malpractice, the same level as the physician," Giallombardo said.
The House Health and Professions & Programs Subcommittee passed the bill 12-6. It will now move into the Health and Services Committee for further passage.
If fully passed, HB 649/ SB 718 would take effect on July 1.
