All anesthesia professionals, CRNAs and anesthesiologists alike, provide anesthesia and anesthesia-related care upon request, assignment, or referral by a patient's physician. The nature of anesthesia, with limited exceptions, does not have as it's primary goal the diagnosis and treatment of pathology. Rather, anesthesia is a service which permits physicians involved in diagnosis and treatment of patients to perform their work while the patient remains safe and comfortable. In 1996, this statute was opened up for review. This was established by the Kansas Legislature July 1, 1987.
Nurse anesthetists are legally responsible for the anesthesia care they provide.
Developing and implementing an anesthetic plan. Initiating the anesthetic technique which may include general, regional, local, and sedation. Selecting, applying, and inserting appropriate noninvasive and invasive monitoring modalities. Managing a patient's airway and pulmonary status. Managing emergence and recovery from anesthesia by selecting, obtaining, ordering, and administering medications, fluids, and ventilatory support.