Insurance, misrepresentation, notice Such a high percentage of nurses giving anesthesia have been certified as CRNAs that some may overlook the distinction between a nurse anesthetist and a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. In many ways certification and recertification have become second nature. Ninety-nine percent of nurses administering anesthesia are CRNAs. At that rate, very few hospitals would want to risk defending a lawsuit over anesthesia administered by a nurse anesthetist who was not certified. The case involves what should be any healthcare professional s worst nightmare, the refusal of an insurance company to provide coverage to a nurse anesthetist facing 3 lawsuits.
Litigation can be unpredictable and expensive, even for the innocent.
Professional liability insurance can cover a significant portion of the risk and provide for the cost of an attorney. The defendant s recertification expired on July 31, 1988. Nonetheless, the defendant continued to practice as a nurse anesthetist. In March 1996, the defendant applied for an individual nurse anesthetist professional liability insurance policy from the Chicago Insurance Company. Thereafter, the nurse anesthetist became involved in 3 anesthesia incidents.