AANA journal
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It is 2021, and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists is celebrating its 90th birthday. What does it mean that our professional association is 90 years old? What historical perspective can be gained and what lies ahead?
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Forced-air warmers have been used for over twenty years to help prevent and treat inadvertent perioperative hypothermia. One result of hypothermia can be an increased risk of surgical site infection. ⋯ Three reviews have been published and none of these condemned the use of forced-air warmers in the operating room including with patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. Clinicians must continue to seek information about this problem from peer-reviewed journals and not rely on interpretation by others such as manufacturers.
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In 2011 the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists initiated a Continued Professional Certification program that strongly suggests the search for alternatives. This article presents a thoughtful critique of the proposed professional competency program as well as alternatives that could be considered in a revision of the current program. Options discussed include a Continuous Professional Development program, a Simulation-Based Model, and a Practice-Based Model.
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Recent research reaffirms that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are critical to the delivery of anesthesia in the United States and argues persuasively for the removal of barriers-including supervision requirements--that prevent CRNAs and other advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) from practicing to the full extent of their education and training. As we as a nation strive to make healthcare accessible, ever safer, and affordable, the health system must use anesthesia professionals as efficiently as possible. Repealing the federal Medicare physician supervision requirement for nurse anesthetists is an important step toward achieving this goal.
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The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is committed to advancing evidence-based nurse anesthesia practice. This determination is evident across multiple activities within the Association. This editorial describes the AANA's evidence-based policy and process for the development of those practice-related documents that require approval from the AANA Board of Directors. Additionally, several of the Association's initiatives geared toward fostering the advancement of evidence-based nurse anesthesia practice are described.