A Review of New and Updated Professional Practice Documents

Area of Science:

• Anesthesiology
• Nursing Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Practice Committee regularly updates clinical resource documents.
• These documents are essential for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to maintain current practice standards.
• The AANA Professional Practice Manual and website serve as primary resources for these documents.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight revised and newly developed practice documents by the AANA Practice Committee.
• To inform CRNAs about updates in key areas of anesthesia practice.
• To ensure CRNAs have access to the latest evidence-based guidelines.

Main Methods:

• A standardized evidence-based process was applied by the AANA Practice Committee.
• Collaboration with AANA Professional Practice staff, advisory panels, and subject matter experts ensured thorough review.
• Clinical resource documents were evaluated and revised based on current evidence.

Main Results:

• Several practice documents have been revised.
• New practice documents have been developed.
• Key topics addressed include scope of nurse anesthesia practice, point-of-care ultrasound, anesthesia for patients with substance use disorder, office-based dental anesthesia, workplace civility, and health disparities.

Conclusions:

• The AANA is committed to maintaining up-to-date, evidence-based practice standards for CRNAs.
• These updated documents provide essential guidance on contemporary issues in anesthesia care.
• CRNAs are encouraged to consult these revised resources to enhance patient safety and quality of care.