Ochsner Celebrates National Nurse Anesthetists Week

Added on Jan 26, 2009 | Filed Under: General News

The "Quiet" Medical Profession

NEW ORLEANS - If you've ever undergone surgery, then a nurse anesthetist is probably one of the last people you remember seeing in the operating room. This "quiet" medical specialty, which is often known only to the medical profession, plays an essential role in surgical procedures by assisting, and in some cases, delivering anesthesia. Throughout the week of January 25-31, Ochsner will honor its Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) during National Nurse Anesthetists Week with a display in the Atrium Tower at 1514 Jefferson Hwy to answer any questions. "Ochsner has 51 CRNAs who help make over 80 surgeries a day possible; their expertise, professionalism, and dedication to patient care is appreciated by patients and staff," said Nancy Davis, RN, Chief Nursing Officer of Ochsner Health System. "These highly trained registered nurses work throughout the Ochsner system including the Hines Surgery Center, Covington Outpatient Surgery Center, and the Sports Medicine Outpatient Surgery Center, just to name a few." In the U.S., anesthesiology or anesthesia care is provided by two specialty groups, nurse anesthetists and anesthesiologists (physicians). Nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care to patients for more than 125 years, touching the lives of countless patients. CRNAs participate in 80 percent of anesthesia worldwide, and are the sole providers in 60 percent of anesthesia worldwide. Nurse anesthetists are certified professional nurses (RNs) with a master's degree, who undergo extensive training, become nationally certified by exam after graduation, and then provide services similar to an anesthesiologist. This profession requires a minimum of seven years of education and experience in addition to CRNA certification. CRNAs can be licensed and practice in all fifty states.

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