Newswise — Park Ridge, Ill. – The vital role of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in patients access to quality anesthesia care and the latest in technology, research, and policy trends will be the focus during the Nurse Anesthesia Annual Congress of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA), Sept. 9-13, 2016, in Washington, D.C.
This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack on America. The Congress keynote speaker, LTG Patricia D. Horoho, who was at the Pentagon during the attacks, will talk about that unforgettable day and the leadership role of nurses, including CRNAs, in crisis management situations.
“Since CRNAs deliver anesthesia in every setting where anesthesia is required, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Indian Health Services, and combat support hospitals where CRNAs practice without supervision, continuing education about the latest advances in anesthesia drugs, techniques, and research is paramount to all nurse anesthetists,” said AANA President Juan Quintana, DNP, MHS, CRNA. “This meeting underlines the importance of allowing CRNAs and other APRNs to practice to the full extent of their licensure.”
As anesthesia experts, nurse anesthetists are the hands-on providers of more than 43 million anesthetics each year in the United States, ensuring patients’ access to safe, cost-effective anesthesia care. There are more than 50,000 AANA members, including CRNAs and student registered nurse anesthetists, practicing in the U.S. healthcare system and fulfilling and providing anesthesia in every type of practice setting where anesthesia is required.
More than 2,500 nurse anesthetists will be attending the Washington, D.C., meeting.
“The healthcare system is constantly being evaluated for ways to provide even safer anesthesia care as cost-effectively as possible. To that end, CRNAs represent the future of anesthesia care today,” said Quintana.
Attendees will take advantage of continuing education opportunities, hands-on workshops, state-of-the-science presentations, and compelling educational sessions in a condensed four-day event. In addition, an onsite trade show will feature pharmaceutical companies, equipment manufacturers, and other healthcare-related businesses.
About the American Association of Nurse AnesthetistsFounded in 1931 and located in Park Ridge, Ill., and Washington, D.C., the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is the professional organization representing more than 50,000 Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and student registered nurse anesthetists across the United States. As advanced practice registered nurses and anesthesia specialists, CRNAs administer approximately 43 million anesthetics to patients in the United States each year and are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America. In some states, CRNAs are the sole anesthesia professionals in nearly 100 percent of rural hospitals. For more information, visit www.aana.com and www.future-of-anesthesia-care-today.com.
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