New Michigan Law Changes How CRNAs Practice

Question:  I have read that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist practice has changed recently. Do these changes mean dentists will engage CRNAs to provide their services in dental offices?

Answer:  Michigan Public Act 53 of 2021 (the “Act”) was signed into law on July 13, 2021. The Act changes how CRNAs practice, effective October 11, 2021. These changes generally allow CRNAs who meet certain criteria to furnish additional anesthesia and analgesia services if they are performed in accordance with the American Association of Anesthetists Standards for Nurse Anesthesia Practice.

The additional services are:

• The development of a plan of care.
• Performance of patient assessments, procedures, and monitoring to implement the plan of care or to address patient emergencies that arise during implementation of the plan of care.
• Subject to certain limitations, selection, ordering, or prescribing and the administration of anesthesia and analgesic agents, including certain prescription pharmacological agents or controlled substances.

A CRNA will be permitted to perform these services without supervision if he/she:

• (1) has been practicing as a CRNA for at least three years and has practiced in a health care facility (which is defined to include a dental office) for a minimum of 4,000 hours, or (2) has a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice degree or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
• Is collaboratively practicing in a patient-centered care team, which includes practicing and communicating with health care professionals involved in the patient-centered care team to optimize the overall care delivered to the patient. The patient-centered care team must include a qualified health care professional (which is defined to include a dentist who has completed the necessary education, training, and experience in anesthesia care or pharmacology, or has experience with procedures requiring anesthesia).

Read the complete Q&A in the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association on page 22.

About the author:

Daniel J. Schulte has more than 25 years of experience helping clients solve tough problems and capitalize on opportunities that require a blend of business and legal expertise. His practice focuses on addressing the legal, business, licensing, and regulatory challenges of health care professionals, organizations, and facilities. Dan understands how legal issues impact business objectives and, as a result, offers his clients practical, results-oriented advice. He is a Certified Public Accountant, former managing partner and current executive committee member of the firm. Dan also serves as co-chair of the firm’s Health Care Practice Group.

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