.jpg) A nurse anesthetist providing sedation to a patient before an operation | |
| Occupation | |
|---|---|
Activity sectors | Anesthesia, nursing |
| Description | |
| Competencies | Administration of anesthetics and the elimination of pain |
Education required | Varies by country |
Fields of employment | |
A nurse anesthetist is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia for surgery or other medical procedures. Nurse anesthetists (NA's) administer or participate in administration of anesthesia services in 107 countries, working with or without anesthesiologists.[1] Because of different historical backgrounds, anesthetist responsibilities and roles vary widely between countries. Depending on the locality, their role may be limited to intraoperative care during anesthesia itself or may also extend before and after (for preanesthetic assessment and immediate postoperative management). The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists was established in 1989 as a forum for developing standards of education, practice, and a code of ethics.[2]
A survey of hospital-based practice conducted in 1996 reported that, worldwide, nurse anesthetists provided 85% of all anesthesia for Caesarean sections; administered drugs to induce anaesthesia (77%); performed tracheal intubation (74%); administered spinal anaesthesia (57%); administered epidural anaesthesia (44%); managed anaesthetised patients intraoperatively (79%); performed tracheal extubation (77%); and managed patients in the immediate postoperative period (54%). Fifty-seven per cent of respondents at that time reported that they were required to have a physician anesthesiologist supervise their work, while 43% reported no such requirement.[3]
- ^ Meeusen, vera (2016). "The global organization of nurses in anesthesia: The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists". Trends in Anaesthesia and Critical Care. 6: 20–25. doi:10.1016/j.tacc.2016.03.001. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (2007). About IFNA... Retrieved May 23, 2007, from http://ifna-int.org/ifna/page.php?16
- ^ McAuliffe, M. S; Henry, B (1998). "Survey of nurse anesthesia practice, education, and regulation in 96 countries". AANA Journal. 66 (3): 273–86. PMID 9830854.