Upholding Physician-Led Anesthesia for Veterans

Recently the US Department of Veterans Affairs issued its Authority of VA Professionals to Practice Health Care, replacing physician anesthesiologists with nurses when surgery is performed. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) feels this lowers standards and could potentially risk Veterans’ lives. As stated on the website Protect Safe VA Care, Veterans Deserve Quality Health Care: “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is considering a new health care policy and needs to hear from you. Please take action to protect our nation’s Veterans by asking VA to uphold the national standard of anesthesia care that ensures health and safety. Removing physician anesthesiologists from surgery and replacing them with nurses lowers the standard of care and jeopardizes Veterans’ lives. This is particularly true for Veterans, who are sicker and often have multiple medical conditions that put them at greater risk for complications.”

The Interim Final Rule is open for public comment for 60 days. Visit www.SafeVACare.org to post comments.

 

Read the full press release.

Other Categories:

• pain policy

• Surgery

• veterans