Physicians Say Governor's Decision Could Weaken Patient Safety Standards.

Health/Medical Writers

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BW HealthWire)--April 19, 2002

Anesthesiologists plan to educate the public and

potential future governors on the issue of "Opting Out" of federal

law; MSA to push an "Opt Back In"

The Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) today said they are disappointed by a decision made by the Governor that could weaken patient safety standards for thousands of Minnesotans. The MSA also announced its will launch a public education campaign and work to convince Governor Ventura and potential future governors that this remedy is a mistake and that Minnesota should lead the way to "opt back in."

On April 19, 2002, Governor Jesse Ventura took advantage of a recently changed federal rule allowing the State to exempt its Medicare-approved hospitals from a long-standing requirement that physicians supervise nurse anesthetists. Minnesota is now one of only four states that have chosen to "opt out" of the practice.

"The Governor's decision to opt out went against a strong recommendation from the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice," said Dr. Phil Boyle, President of the Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists. "The Governor's decision is a setback for the high tradition of medical care and patient safety found in Minnesota."

In November 2001, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services published a final rule giving state governors the authority to exempt hospitals in their states from the requirement of physician supervision over nurse anesthetists. On March 9, 2002, after a public hearing, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice forwarded a recommendation to the Governor to keep the rule in place.

In response to the Governor's decision, Dr. Boyle said the MSA also will:

-- Conduct a public education campaign about the administration of anesthesia
and the need for patient safety standards, as well as educate all candidates
for governor on the importance of patient safety in anesthesia.

-- Ask the State Department of Health to begin a study and collect data
regarding anesthesia cases. Currently there are no data compiled regarding
patient deaths from nurse-administered anesthesia or physician-supervised
anesthesia.

-- Ask the Legislature to appoint an impartial task force to examine all "scope
of practice" issues.

In recent years, Dr. Boyle said the legislature has been asked to make numerous decisions about what doctors, nurses and physician's assistants with varying degrees of education and training are allowed to do.

"The legislature needs to look more in-depth at medical education and training and how those issues impact the cost and safe practice of health care," said Dr. Boyle.

"The long-standing rule for Medicare-approved hospitals and surgery centers requiring the supervision of a nurse anesthetist by a doctor was in place to protect patients," said Dr. Boyle. "Anesthesia is the most dangerous aspect of the operating room. The State should restore the safeguards surrounding the administration of anesthesia and the care of patients. The MSA will initiate substantial public dialogue on patient safety issues and do everything possible to ensure a physician is integrally involved in every patient's anesthesia."

About the Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists

The Minnesota Society of Anesthesiologists represents more than 500 physicians in the state. Its mission is to foster and encourage research and scientific progress in anesthesiology; disseminate information about anesthesiology; and protect the public.

Anesthesiologists are licensed medical physician specialists in anesthesiology. They are medical experts in physiology, pre-operative surgical evaluations, surgical anesthesia care, post-anesthesia care, pain management, obstetrical anesthesia and analgesia, emergency airway management and critical care. An anesthesiologist may personally administer anesthesia to patients or medically direct the administration of anesthesia by nurse anesthetists as part of an anesthesia care team.