Delaware is the latest state to opt out of federal regulations requiring physician supervision of certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Governors from 24 states and Guam have already opted out of the federal regulations, according to a June 14 news release from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. Delaware Gov. John Carney opted out by sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
"I attest that I have consulted with the Delaware Board of Nursing and Board of Medicine about issues related to access to and the quality of anesthesia services in Delaware," Gov. Carney wrote in the letter. "I have concluded that it is in the best interests of Delaware citizens to opt-out of the current physician supervision requirement, as provided in the federal regulations, and that the opt-out is consistent with Delaware law."
CRNAs administer more than 50 million anesthetics to patients each year across the country, have full practice authority in the Army, Navy, and Air Force and are primary providers of anesthesia care in rural settings, according to AANA.