Since 1984 the AANA has been supporting their members by providing peer assistance to CRNAs and student nurse anesthetists facing substance abuse and chemical dependency. The AANA Peer Assistance Advisors committee leads this support network, comprised of state peer advisors (SPAs) and online resources, to respond to hotline calls to make referrals for intervention and appropriate treatment. The SPA role also includes building awareness within the state association of the peer support available and assists with education toward the prevention of chemical dependency, which is an occupational risk for all anesthesia providers. The SPAs are subject to the following recommendations and procedures:
Procedure:
Each state association appoints one or more state peer advisors (SPAs) as a resource for the CRNAs and student nurse anesthetists in their state. The president of the state association notifies staff of the appointment. Staff and the Peer Assistance Advisors will review the appointee to ensure the selection criteria points are met. Once vetted, the new SPA will be posted to the online Peer Assistance Resource Directory, a welcome email with background information will be sent to the new SPA and copied to all applicable parties, and a package of orientation materials will be mailed.
The state president or the individual SPA should notify staff of changes in status or contact information.
Basic Principles:
The state peer advisor is expected to:
Actively listen, facilitate and support the individual in crisis; Share information and resources; Use one's own experience; Help with simple problem solving; Refer to appropriate healthcare professionals or agencies; Safe-guard the privacy and confidentiality of information except where the individual has given specific, written, informed, and limited consent or when the individual poses a risk to himself or others; and, Understand the laws and regulations that are relevant both personally and professionally.
The state peer advisor must:
Maintain an active unencumbered RN license or demonstrate the ability to comprehend the challenges to the CRNA with impairment issues by virtue of past experiences. Maintain current American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) Membership - Active, Inactive or Retired status; Those without a personal experience with addiction must be conversant with the principles and resources of recovery; If in recovery, individual must have at least two years of continuous sobriety and be able to demonstrate to the Peer Assistance Advisors active involvement in a recognized recovery program through:
Abstinence-based drug-free lifestyle. Negative random drug screens. Addiction physician specialist involved in continuing care. When pain is part of the life of the SPA in recovery, they should be willing to demonstrate appropriate pain assessment and management for episodes of chronic or acute pain.
Be able to attend state association meetings to conduct their wellness committee meetings, encourage AIR meetings, and provide resource information personally or with a State Travel Wellness Exhibit (STWE). Address conflict of interest issues - any SPAs who serve on a Board of Nursing or selection board for alternative programs, may participate in discussion but should remove themselves from a final vote in the matter of a CRNA to avoid a perceived conflict of interest or bias.
The following are suggested functions for the state peer assistance advisor position:
Attend an orientation training program, where available. Note: SPA Workshop materials are available via AANALearn, see Wellness Catalog. Serve as a resource and support for nurse anesthetists and students with impairment issues. Regularly communicate and network with state peer assistance programs, the board of nursing peer assistance programs, and professional alternative discipline programs. Monitor state legislative and regulatory activities regarding chemical dependency in nursing and other health professional groups. Familiarity with the AANA Peer Assistance Advisors' treatment recommendations and treatment programs located in the state, particularly those with a focus on health professional programs. Act as a resource for the state nurse anesthetists association and other entities in developing or providing educational programs. The State Travel Wellness Exhibit (STWE) is available to support these activities. Advocate for funding by your state association and other appropriate sources for support of peer assistance activities. Request to be part of the business agenda at state association meetings to update the Board of Directors and members on state peer assistance activities. Collaborate with other groups in developing or supporting initiatives in the state that advance improvements in the area of professional well-being, substance misuse and chemical dependency. Submit items for the state newsletter and request that the AANA Hotline, the AANA website information, and the Anesthetists in Recovery Hotline (AIR) be published. State peer assistance contact numbers should be listed in each issue. Participation in CRNASPA, an online discussion group for SPAs to network with fellow SPAs and the Peer Assistance Advisors to communication needs and accomplishments. Also to share information as appropriate, this may include:
Reports of state activities and/or state newsletter articles. Suggested content for the focus sessions during the AANA Annual Meetings. Suggested areas for student research. Suggested postings on website.
Developed by the AANA Peer Assistance Advisors Committee, October 2006; updated June 2010
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