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ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESFifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session |
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HB 2674: anesthesiologist assistants; licensure
Sponsor: Representative Pingerelli, LD 28
Committee on Education
Overview
Adds anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) to the licensed professions under the Arizona Medical Board (Board) that may assist in the practice of medicine under a supervising anesthesiologist.
History
A licensed registered nurse may be certified by the Board as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) if the nurse: 1) submits an application and pays the certification fee; 2) has completed an accredited program in science of anesthesia; and 3) is certified by a national certifying body. A CRNA may administer anesthetics under the direction of and in the presence of a physician or surgeon in connection with the care of a patient or as part of a procedure performed by a physician or surgeon in specified settings. Furthermore, as part of the care or procedure, a CRNA may: 1) issue a medication order for drugs; 2) assess an individual's health status; 3) obtain informed consent; 4) order and evaluate laboratory and diagnostic test results and radiographic imaging studies; 5) develop a patient's anesthetic plan of care; 6) take action in an emergency situation; and 7) perform therapeutic procedures as authorized. A physician or surgeon is not liable for any act or omission of a CRNA who orders or administers anesthetics (A.R.S. §§ 32-1634.03, 32-1634.04).
Provisions
Board Duties and Licensure
1. Directs the Board to determine the qualifications and fitness of AA license applicants.
2. Requires the Board to:
a) grant, deny, revoke, suspend, restrict and reinstate AA licenses;
b) investigate allegations that an AA or a supervising anesthesiologist engaged in conduct constituting a ground for revocation;
c) conduct informal interviews and hearings;
d) adopt rules governing the practice of AAs; and
e) retain jurisdiction over Board-licensed AAs, regardless of license status.
3. Instructs the Board to transfer any complaints against a supervising osteopathic anesthesiologist to the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery.
4.
Prohibits a person from using
the title of, or practicing or representing themselves as, an AA without having
a Board-granted license.
5. Authorizes the Board to grant an AA license to an applicant who:
a) graduated from an AA program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (Commission);
b) satisfactorily completed a certification exam and application form; and
c) pays the required application and licensure fees.
6. Provides that a license is valid for two years and details license renewal procedures.
7. Allows the Board to issue a temporary license for not more than one year to an applicant who:
a) completes a temporary license application and pays the required fee;
b) successfully completes a Commission- or Board-approved program for educating and training AAs but who has not passed a certification exam; and
c) takes the next available certification exam after receiving a temporary license.
8. Authorizes the Board to reinstate a lapsed license if the applicant pays a Board-prescribed reinstatement fee and meets the requirements for initial licensure.
Scope of Practice
9. Excludes a person enrolled in a Board-approved AA education program from scope of practice specifications.
10. Asserts that an AA may only assist in the practice of medicine under an anesthesiologist's supervision and perform only duties and responsibilities delegated by the supervising anesthesiologist.
11. Allows the supervising anesthesiologist to supervise an AA in a manner consistent with federal regulations adopted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for reimbursement for anesthesia services.
12. Requires the supervising anesthesiologist to be immediately available to the AA and able to intervene if needed.
13. Prohibits an AA's practice from exceeding their education and training or the scope of practice of the supervising anesthesiologist.
14. Restricts an AA from delegating a medical care task assigned to them by the supervising anesthesiologist to another person.
15. Lists the duties a supervising anesthesiologist may delegate to an AA.
16. Clarifies that an AA is not prevented from having access to and being able to obtain prescription drugs as directed by the supervising anesthesiologist.
17. Defines anesthesiologist, AA, assists, certification examination, supervising anesthesiologist and supervision.
Regulation and Restriction of Licenses
18. Authorizes the Board to refuse to renew or revoke, suspend or restrict a license or take other disciplinary action.
19. Instructs the Board to adopt and enter its written order and findings if it is determined that a person is ineligible for licensure, or any action should be taken on a current license.
20. Outlines the process and procedures for the Board to reinstate a revoked license.
21. Declares a person commits a class 1 misdemeanor if they:
a) practice as or represent themselves as an AA without having a Board-issued license; or
b) employ an unlicensed person to practice as an AA.
22. Specifies each violation constitutes a separate offense.
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26. HB 2674
27. Initials CH Page 0 Education
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