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Committee advances bill expanding CRNA scope and titles, with committee substitute adopted
Summary
The Senate Health Committee reported Senate Bill 18 to the full Senate with a committee substitute that broadens certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) qualifications and limits facility authority; the committee substitute was adopted and the bill was reported with no fiscal note.
The West Virginia Senate Health Committee reported Senate Bill 18 to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass as amended, adopting a committee substitute that revises qualifications and permitted titles for certified registered nurse anesthetists.
Counsel told the committee the bill expands the specification set and code to allow a certified registered nurse anesthetist, or CRNA, to administer anesthesia while cooperating with a physician, dentist or podiatrist; “cooperation” is defined in the bill as a process in which health professionals work together and contribute expertise at their respective levels of education and training. Counsel said the substitute removes an existing requirement that a CRNA be physically present and supervised by a physician or dentist when administering anesthesia.
The committee substitute requires that a CRNA hold an APRN license, have completed a nationally accredited nurse anesthetist education program and be certified by a national certifying body recognized by the Board of Nursing. The substitute also changes title language: counsel said the strike-and-insert adds the word “only,” limiting titles to certified registered nurse anesthetist, CRNA, advanced practice registered nurse or APRN. The substitute removes language referencing chronic pain and strikes a subsection that had limited a health care facility’s authority to set requirements for CRNAs practicing there; counsel said a later subsection was added to require problem reporting, including reports from dental offices.
Counsel stated the bill will be governed by the Board of Nursing, has no fiscal note and would be effective in 90 days. After questions of counsel, the committee voted to adopt the amendment and to report the bill with the recommendation that it pass as amended; the chair declared the motion adopted.
The committee did not record roll-call vote counts in the transcript; the chair stated “the ayes have it” when reporting adoption of the committee substitute and the recommendation to report the bill.
The committee noted the bill’s title will be corrected on the floor.
