Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 12/31/2009

Question
Hello Dr. Levy,

I am wondering if when a CRNA is working solo(QZ), let's say on a gall bladder and another patient needs a labor epidural is the CRNA allowed to leave the gall bladder pt and start a labor epidural then come back to the gall bladder?  How would the time be reported in both cases?  Please understand that there is not an AA in the operating suite or on duty for that matter.  The CRNA is authroized to work solo.

Thank you,
Pamela

Answer
To my knowledge, CRNAs are not allowed to work solo (not under the supervision of an MD) but assuming the case, it would be the same as for an anesthesiologist working solo. If there is an emergency, the anesthesiologist can leave the room (assuming his patient is stable and a nurse watches the vital signs) to deal with the emergency. Since a labor epidural is not an emergency, he cannot leave the room to take care of that.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston