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What services do nurse anesthetists provide during surgery?
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A nurse uses a sphygmomanometer to check a patient's blood pressure.
Nurse anesthetists, also known as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), are specialized healthcare professionals who play a critical role in surgical care. During surgical procedures, they are responsible for two primary functions:
- Administering Anesthesia: They are trained to provide anesthesia across various settings, including operating rooms, obstetrical delivery suites, ambulatory surgical centers, and medical offices.1
- Patient Monitoring: They provide individualized monitoring of patients throughout the procedure to observe and manage any physiological reactions to the anesthesia or the surgery itself.1
The profession has a long history, dating back to the late 19th century, and gained significant recognition for their service as the sole providers of anesthesia in military hospitals during World War I. Today, they are essential members of the surgical team and provide the majority of anesthesia services in the United States, serving as the primary providers in most rural American hospitals.1