Study shows CRNA autonomy expands access to care
A new Health Services Research study confirms what we already know: when CRNAs can practice to the full extent of our training, patients benefit.
This study examined how state scope-of-practice laws (SOPLs) affect the delivery of anesthesia care, and the results were clear. Researchers compared states that allow CRNAs to work without physician supervision to those that still require it. They found that anesthesia utilization grew faster in states with greater autonomy by about 18 additional procedures per 1,000 patients (a 17% increase) compared with 9 per 1,000 patients (a 7% increase) in restrictive states. In other words, when CRNAs are free to practice independently, access to care expands.
The increase was seen across both underserved and non-underserved areas, rural and urban, indicating that CRNA-led care improves access broadly.
These findings are especially relevant in the wake of COVID-19, when flexible, efficient anesthesia services were essential. The takeaway? Removing unnecessary supervision requirements isn’t just good policy, it’s good for patients, providers, and the entire health care system.
When CRNAs are empowered to practice independently, more people get the safe, high-quality anesthesia care they deserve.
