As you have likely heard, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) Final Rule on December 14, excluding nurse anesthetists and maintaining safe, physician-led anesthesia care in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. This very successful outcome would not have been possible without our combined efforts. While the rule is final, VA has initiated a 30-day comment period on anesthesia care access issues that could impact future rulemaking. We want to thank all those who offered support on this important patient safety issue and ask that you now join us in thanking VA for their decision to continue protecting the lives and safety of Veterans by submitting a federal comment at www.SafeVACare.org.
Comments that include personal stories and anecdotes are most persuasive, particularly those that demonstrate your first-hand knowledge that there is no access issue to anesthesia care in VA facilities. Please take action by commenting now!
We’re very pleased with the final rule, and want to emphasize that this comment period will not impact the outcome of maintaining physician-led anesthesia care within VA. However, your personalized comments will ensure VA does not attempt to advance this proposal again in the future.
Check out the following Safe VA Care materials:
- APRN Final Rule
The final rule can be read here. - ASA President Dr. Plagenhoef’s Statement
ASA President Dr. Plagenhoef’s statement on the final rule can be read here. - ASA President Dr. Plagenhoef’s Update
ASA President Dr. Plagenhoef’s statement on the conclusion of VA’s rulemaking process and the new comment period.can be read here. - ASA’s Statement
ASA’s statement on the final rule can be read here. - VA’s Statement
VA’s statement on the final rule can be read here. - AANA’s Statement
AANA’s statement on the final rule can be read here. - Recorded Webinar
On Tuesday, December 13, ASA hosted a webinar covering the APRN final rule, with a focus on key excerpts and future implications of the rule, as well as next steps and information on how ASA members can continue to join in our advocacy initiative. ASA members can access the recording here.
If you have any questions or would like assistance with messaging, please email [email protected].