Working with ASA's state components and grassroots members, the ASA Department of State Affairs faced a challenging and busy 2020. During the year, the team reviewed more than 2,000 pieces of legislation and at least 1,000 proposed regulations to assist state component societies as they work to protect patient safety in each state. Ultimately, there were no new independent practice states, a number of strong efforts to protect patients against misleading nursing titles, and importantly, patient safety guardrails put in place for several COVID-19-related executive orders impacting physician oversight of nurse anesthetists.
COVID-19: This was a unique year for physician anesthesiologists, care team members, state lawmakers, governors, and citizens as the country dealt with, and continues to deal with, a public health crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19. During this pandemic, several state officials acted through executive orders and legislation specific to addressing the needs of the individual...
