Army CRNAs Drive Patient Safety Through Trust and Teamwork

For Army Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), patient safety starts with teamwork in the operating room.

They work closely with surgeons, nurses, and technicians throughout each case. In Army medicine, the patient may be a fellow Soldier, a veteran, or a military family member who has placed enormous trust in the care team during a vulnerable moment. That responsibility depends on clear communication and trust. It also helps shape the workplace culture. 

CRNAs contribute to that tone by encouraging others to speak up and help teammates during challenging cases. They also help create an environment where people feel respected enough to raise concerns. In a busy military hospital or when deployed with a forward surgical team, protecting the patient goes hand in hand with supporting the team. 

That level of teamwork is built long before a crisis or traumatic event unfolds. Army CRNAs routinely prepare for difficult airway situations, severe trauma triage, massive hemorrhage, and mass casualty events. These focused exercises sharpen clinical skills, but they also help the care team build trust in one another before the pressure is on. In intense moments, CRNAs are often called on for steady leadership and trusted presence. They stay calm, help prioritize care, and support the team when the pace is fast and resources are limited. 

For many Army CRNAs, that readiness begins with the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing and the Uniformed Services University Nurse Anesthesia Program. Long hours, demanding clinical rotations, and high-fidelity simulations prepare CRNAs to practice independently, anticipate complications, and make sound decisions under pressure. 

Army medicine also uses tools that help teams stay aligned and promote safe care. TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety) gives teams a framework for structured briefs and closed-loop communication, while reinforcing that anyone—regardless of rank—can speak up when something seems unsafe. The Army also relies on After Action Reviews (AARs), where teams come together after challenging situations to reflect on what was expected, what happened, what went well, and how to improve next time. 

AANA recently welcomed the U.S. Army Medical Department (AMEDD) as a Champion-level Corporate Partner. That collaboration reflects a shared focus on clinical excellence, leadership development, and preparing highly trained CRNAs to care for service members and beneficiaries worldwide. 

CRNAs considering a career in the Army can learn more on the Army’s website.