The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists updated its Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice, adding standards on wellness and culture of safety.
What you should know:
1. AANA revised the practice standards after conducting an extensive literature review, multiple focus sessions and a legal review. The organization also obtained feedback from stakeholders during a public comment period.
2. The revised document explains each standard and provides links to research supporting the standard's implementation.
3. The standards cover the following elements:
- Patients' rights (prioritized as Standard 1 in the revised document)
- Preanesthesia patient assessment and evaluation
- The anesthesia care plan
- Informed consent
- Documentation
- Equipment
- Anesthesia plan implementation and management
- Monitoring and alarms
- Infection control and prevention
- Transfer of care
4. AANA regularly reviews and updates its practice standards, guidelines and other documents to help nurse anesthetists practice at the top of their profession.
5. The standards apply to ASCs, operating rooms, anesthetizing areas and office-based practices where anesthesia services are provided, as well as other facilities. Click here to access the standards.
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