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Clearing the Air on Office-Based Surgery |
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, 10 million procedures will be performed in doctors’ offices by 2005. In most cases, anesthesia will not be administered by an
anesthesiologist, but by a licensed non-physician, or physician trained in another specialty.
To address the demand for outpatient surgeries in Illinois, the Department of Professional
Regulation adopted rules concerning the administration of anesthesia in outpatient settings.
Here’s the “need to know” on the final rules, which took effect on April 26, 2002:
Physicians performing in-office anesthesia or those who collaborate with a CRNA to provide
in-office anesthesia must have clinical privileges to administer anesthesia in a hospital or
licensed ambulatory surgical treatment center (ASTC) OR complete the following CME:
Conscious sedation only: minimum 8 hours CME in anesthesia within 3 year license renewal period, with 4 of the 8 hours completed by July 31, 2003. The remaining 4 must be completed by July 31, 2005.
Deep sedation, regional anesthesia and/or general anesthesia: 34 hours CME in anesthesia in 3 year license renewal period, with 16 of the 34 hours completed by July 31, 2003 and the remaining 18 hours must be completed by July 31, 2005.
Physicians (including anesthesiologists), and CRNAs providing anesthesia services in the office must be advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) certified by December 31, 2002.