06-R 044

2006 -- S 2160

Enacted 01/26/06

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING JANUARY 22-28, 2006 TO BE "NURSE ANESTHETISTS WEEK"

IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senators Polisena, Tassoni, Bates, and McCaffrey

Date Introduced: January 26, 2006

WHEREAS, Nurse Anesthetists were the first professional group to provide anesthesia in

the United States and are the oldest recognized group of advanced practice registered nurse

specialists; and

     WHEREAS, To qualify for the title of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA),

a registered nurse must complete a graduate level educational program in a nationally accredited

program of nurse anesthesia. Upon graduation, they must then successfully pass a national

examination confirming their comprehensive knowledge and thereby qualifying them to hold the

CRNA title; and

     WHEREAS, In addition, all graduates of the nurse anesthesia educational programs

receive a master's degree upon completion of the rigorous academic and clinical curriculum; and

     WHEREAS, CRNAs provide anesthesia services in all settings in which anesthesia is

delivered, and are not required by state or federal law to be supervised or directed by physician

anesthesiologists; and

     WHEREAS, According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, more than

65% of all rural hospitals rely on CRNAs to provide anesthesia care, and without these advanced

practice nurses, some 1, 500 facilities would be unable to maintain trauma stabilization, surgical,

and obstetrical capabilities. Many rural Americans would be forced to travel impossibly arduous

distances to obtain these services without the skill of CRNAs; and

     WHEREAS, Each year, CRNAs working in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers,

physician's offices, and the medical facilities of the United States Military, Veterans'

Administration, and Public Health Service are the hands-on providers of approximately 65% of

all anesthetics given to patients in the United States. In rural communities the percentage is even

higher; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims January 22-28, 2006 to be "Nurse Anesthetists Week" in the State of Rhode

Island. We furthermore recognize the critical importance of CRNAs across the country and

extend our sincerest thanks for their invaluable contributions to the betterment of health care for

Rhode Island's citizens; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Rhode Island Association of Nurse

Anesthetists, Inc.

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LC01157

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