AANA Upholds the Safety of Spinal Anesthesia

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) recognizes the devastating impact of a recent medication error on patients and their families in Nashville. Events such as this underscore the importance of patient safety.  

Spinal anesthesia is a safe, well-established, and effective anesthetic technique that can be administered by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), also known as nurse anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists, for obstetric and surgical pain management. Vigilant, patient-centered care is the hallmark of CRNA practice.  CRNAs are experts in anesthesia delivery, adhere to comprehensive standards of care, and lead as advocates for patient safety.  

It is important to distinguish the safety of spinal anesthesia from medication errors. A medication error does not, in itself, indicate a failure of spinal anesthesia. Medication errors can arise from multiple contributing factors, and adverse events warrant a comprehensive, systems-based review to understand what occurred, identify contributing factors, and strengthen safeguards to reduce the risk of recurrence. A just culture promotes transparency, supports continuous improvement, builds trust, and maintains safety. 

Patient safety is not just one decision. It is constant assessment, anticipation, and response during vulnerable moments. AANA remains committed to advancing evidence-based anesthesia practice and patient-safety systems that protect patients while supporting CRNAs and other healthcare professionals in delivering safe, high-quality care.  

Patients seeking information about anesthesia are encouraged to visit AnesthesiaAnswers.org for resources about what to expect before, during, and after surgery, including information about obstetrical and regional anesthesia.  

Other AANA resources supporting the safe delivery of patient care include: 

• Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice 
• Patient-Centered Perianesthesia Communication
• Regional Anesthesia Techniques – An Element of Multimodal Pain Management
• Analgesia and Anesthesia for the Obstetric Patient