Washington DC Removes Barriers to Timely Surgical Care, Helps Ensure Safe Access to Anesthesia Services

DC Joins 27 States to Opt-Out from Physician Supervision

Rosemont, Ill. (AANA) — Mayor Muriel Bowser is the latest to remove antiquated barriers to safe anesthesia care administered by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) as the District of Columbia (DC) joined 27 states to achieve opt-out status. DC is the latest to opt out of federal regulations that require physician supervision of CRNAs.

“AANA applauds Mayor Muriel Bowser for recognizing the vital role CRNAs play in delivering safe, high-quality anesthesia care in the District of Columbia,” said AANA President Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA. “Removing unnecessary physician supervision requirements gives healthcare facilities greater flexibility to use anesthesia care models that best meet the needs of their patients and communities. By joining the majority of states that have opted out of this federal requirement, D.C. is supporting safe, timely access to anesthesia care while allowing CRNAs to practice to the full extent of their education and training.”

“The DC Association of Nurse Anesthetists (DCANA) celebrates the actions of Mayor Bowser,” said DCANA President Douglas Heater, RN, MSN, MS, CCRN, ACNP-BC, CRNA. “By approving the opt-out, Mayor Bowser helps ensure safe and affordable healthcare for the District of Columbia and recognizes that CRNAs are qualified to make decisions regarding all aspects of anesthesia care without physician supervision.”

Prior to receiving opt-out status, CRNAs in DC were granted the authority to work independently in the delivery of anesthesia through the approval of the Health Occupations Revision General Amendment Act of 2024 (HORA). The HORA Act clarified the scope of practice for CRNAs, and aligned the District with other states that allow CRNAs to independently provide safe, high-quality anesthesia care. With this new opt-out status, CRNAs practicing in hospitals in the District may practice without federal restrictions requiring physician supervision.

In the letter Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote, “As required under federal regulation, I have consulted with the District of Columbia Board of Medicine and the Board of Nursing about issues related to access to and the quality of anesthesia services within the District. Based on this consultation and a review of the District’s healthcare needs, I have determined that opting out of the federal physician supervision requirement for CRNAs is in the best interest of District residents and that opting out is consistent with District law.”

About American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) 

The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) represents more than 71,000 members, including nearly 69,000 CRNAs and nurse anesthesiology residents. CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered, safely administering more than 58 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States, including traditional hospital surgical suites and obstetrical delivery rooms; critical access hospitals; ambulatory surgical centers; the offices of dentists, podiatrists, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, and pain management specialists; and U.S. military, Public Health Services, and Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare facilities. Through advocacy, education, research and professional resources, AANA works to advance the nurse anesthesiology profession and help improve patient care.