As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) living in your district, I completed a rigorous course of education in order to care for patients and safely administer anesthesia. Yet, unlike other certified nursing professionals in our state, current law does not make clear my ability to administer non-anesthesia care. As written, current law impacts patient outcomes and my ability to successfully practice. I urge your full support of House Bill 55 – Nurse Anesthetist Drug Authority and Collaboration that would improve healthcare outcomes in our state. CRNAs are anesthesia professionals who safely administer more than 49 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States. Today, there are over 900 students and active CRNAs in Maryland. CRNA complete a rigorous course of training and education to receive our certificate. Maryland is home to two outstanding CRNA programs provided by the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, located in Bethesda, and the University of Maryland, School of Nursing, located in Baltimore. Together, these programs produce highly qualified CRNAs to assist both civilian and military patients needing care. Under current Maryland law, a CRNA may select and administer “anesthetic agents,” but the code is silent with respect to ordering and administering other drugs. This legislation would codify current practices and additionally allow CRNAs to prescribe preoperatively and postoperatively for up to 10 days of medication to an established patient in connection with the delivery of anesthesia services. In order to improve healthcare outcomes in Maryland, I urge your support of House Bill 55 / Senate Bill 1011 which would provide certainty to CRNAs administering care to patients.

My fellow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) look forward to working with you and your colleagues this session. Our top priority is ensuring CRNAs can continue to effectively practice and care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Already, 27 states, including neighboring Delaware and the District of Columbia, have updated their laws to provide clarity for practicing CNRAs. I urge you to help us keep pace with our peers by supporting House Bill 55/SB 1011 – Nurse Anesthetist Drug Authority and Collaboration. If enacted, this bill would codify the ability for CRNAs like myself to provide medications to maintain patient comfort and keep patients safe. CRNAs are anesthesia professionals who safely administer more than 49 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States. In Maryland, we work and collaborate with anesthesiologists, physicians, and dentists to administer care and safely provide anesthesia. Today, there are over 900 active CRNAs in Maryland in addition to registered nurses studying to be CRNAs. We are proud that our practice is recognized as one of the four advanced nursing specialties in our state. Current law does not make clear that CRNAs may administer or order non-anesthesia care to patients during the course of their normal treatment. Oftentimes, these additional medications help maintain patient comfort, like decreasing nausea symptoms and stabilizing blood pressure. Delaware, the District of Columbia, and 25 other states have already updated their laws to allow for this practice, matching the Drug Enforcement Administration’s interpretation of current federal regulations. In order to improve healthcare outcomes in Maryland, I urge your support of House Bill 55 /SB 1011 which would provide certainty to CRNAs administering care to patients. My best wishes for a healthy, safe, and productive session of the Maryland General Assembly.

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are at the forefront of advocating for changes that will improve the quality of how healthcare is delivered in Maryland. Essential to this is supporting public policies that will remove unnecessary barriers to care, reduce economic inefficiencies, improve the ability of patients and healthcare facilities to make their own choices for who they want as healthcare providers, and ensure patient safety. CRNAs are highly educated, advanced practice registered nurses who help improve access to safe and affordable anesthesia care in an overburdened healthcare system. CRNAs safely provide more than 49 million anesthetics to U.S. patients every year in collaboration with surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, physician anesthesiologists, and other qualified healthcare professionals. Unfortunately, due to current Maryland law, my ability to provide the strongest level of care and address side effects patients may experience is currently unclear. Our top priority is ensuring CRNAs can continue to effectively practice and care for patients, particularly those from historically underserved communities. I urge your support of House Bill 55/SB 1011 – Nurse Anesthetist Drug Authority and Collaboration. Under current Maryland law, a CRNA may select and administer “anesthetic agents,” but the code is silent with respect to ordering and administering other drugs. This legislation would codify current practices and additionally allow CRNAs to prescribe preoperatively and postoperatively for up to 10 days of medication to an established patient in connection with the delivery of anesthesia services. In order to improve healthcare outcomes in Maryland, particularly in underserved communities, I urge your support of House Bill 55 & SB 1011 which would provide certainty to CRNAs administering care to patients. My best wishes for a healthy, safe, and productive session of the Maryland General Assembly.

My fellow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and I look forward to working with you and your colleagues this session. Today, there are over 900 active CRNAs in Maryland in addition to registered nurses studying to be CRNAs. We provide a high-level of care and since the formal creation of the CRNA certification, have a demonstrated track record of making anesthesia administration safer for Marylanders. Unfortunately, due to current Maryland law, my ability to provide the strongest level of care, at an affordable cost, and address side effects patients may experience is currently unclear. While CRNAs may select and administer “anesthetic agents,” the code is silent with respect to ordering and administering other drugs. I urge your support of House Bill 55/ Senate Bill 1011 – Nurse Anesthetist Drug Authority and Collaboration. If enacted, this bill would codify the ability for CRNAs like myself to provide medications to maintain patient comfort and keep patients safe, or in emergency situations, save a life. Our top priority is ensuring CRNAs can continue to effectively practice and care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Oftentimes, these additional medications help maintain patient comfort, like decreasing nausea symptoms and stabilizing blood pressure. Ensuring our patients are cared for effectively and safely during the pandemic is our top priority. I strongly believe this legislation would enhance the level of care I am able to provide during these difficult times. In order to improve healthcare outcomes in Maryland, I urge your support of House Bill 55 / Senate Bill 1011 which would provide certainty to CRNAs administering care to patients. My best wishes for a healthy, safe, and productive session of the Maryland General Assembly.

My fellow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and I look forward to working with you and your colleagues this session. I became a CRNA because I wanted to help patient through all stages of the surgery process. Surgery can be a difficult and anxiety-filled experience for many individuals. That’s why I am dedicated to helping my patients, safely, through the process and providing proper care and follow-up post-anesthesia. Unfortunately, due to current Maryland law, my ability to provide the strongest level of care and addressing side effects patients may experience is currently unclear. Our top priority is ensuring CRNAs can continue to effectively practice and care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge your support of House Bill 55/ Senate Bill 1011 – Nurse Anesthetist Drug Authority and Collaboration. If enacted, this bill would codify the ability for CRNAs like myself, to provide medications to maintain patient comfort and keep patients safe. Under current Maryland law, a CRNA may select and administer “anesthetic agents,” but the code is silent with respect to ordering and administering other drugs. This legislation would codify current practices and additionally allow CRNAs to prescribe preoperatively and postoperatively for up to 10 days of medication to an established patient in connection with the delivery of anesthesia services. In order to improve healthcare outcomes in Maryland, I urge your support of House Bill 55 / Senate Bill 1011 which would provide certainty to CRNAs administering care to patients. My best wishes for a healthy, safe, and productive session of the Maryland General Assembly.

My fellow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) look forward to working with you and your colleagues this session. I am proud to be a CRNA, providing the highest level of care to patients during all surgery stages. Today, there are over 900 active CRNAs in Maryland in addition to registered nurses studying to be CRNAs. We safely administer anesthesia to patients and help guide them through every stage of the surgery process. Our top priority is ensuring CRNAs can continue to effectively practice and care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge your support of House Bill 55/ Senate Bill 1011 – Nurse Anesthetist Drug Authority and Collaboration. If enacted, this bill would codify the ability for CRNAs like myself to provide medications to maintain patient comfort and keep patients safe. Under current Maryland law, a CRNA may select and administer “anesthetic agents,” but the code is silent with respect to ordering and administering other drugs. This legislation would codify current practices and additionally allow CRNAs to prescribe preoperatively and postoperatively for up to 10 days of medication to an established patient in connection with the delivery of anesthesia services. In order to improve healthcare outcomes in Maryland, particularly in rural communities, I urge your support of House Bill 55 / Senate Bill 1011 which would provide certainty to CRNAs administering care to patients. My best wishes for a healthy, safe, and productive session of the Maryland General Assembly.

I am proud to be a CRNA, providing the highest level of care to patients during all surgery stages. Today, there are over 900 active CRNAs in Maryland in addition to registered nurses studying to be CRNAs. We safely administer anesthesia to patients and help guide them through every stage of the surgery process. For more than 150 years, nurse anesthetists have been providing anesthesia care to patients in the United States. The CRNA credential came into existence in 1956. According to a 1999 report from the Institute of Medicine, anesthesia care is nearly 50 times safer than it was in the early 1980s. Numerous outcomes studies have demonstrated that there is no difference in the quality of care provided by CRNAs and their physician counterparts. Unfortunately, due to current Maryland law, my ability to provide the strongest level of care and address side effects patients may experience is currently unclear. Our top priority is ensuring CRNAs can continue to effectively practice and care for patients. I urge your support of House Bill 55 / Senate Bill 1011 – Nurse Anesthetist Drug Authority and Collaboration. Under current Maryland law, a CRNA may select and administer “anesthetic agents,” but the code is silent with respect to ordering and administering other drugs. This legislation would codify current practices and additionally allow CRNAs to prescribe preoperatively and postoperatively for up to 10 days of medication to an established patient in connection with the delivery of anesthesia services. Oftentimes, these additional medications help maintain patient comfort, like decreasing nausea symptoms and stabilizing blood pressure. In order to improve healthcare outcomes in Maryland, I urge your support of House Bill 55 & Senate Bill 1011 which would provide certainty to CRNAs administering care to patients. My best wishes for a healthy, safe, and productive session of the Maryland General Assembly.