65-1158. Duties of registered nurse anesthetists. (a) Upon the order of a physician or dentist requesting anesthesia or analgesia care, each registered nurse anesthetist shall be authorized to:

(1) Conduct a pre- and post-anesthesia and pre- and post-analgesia visit and assessment with appropriate documentation;

(2) develop a general plan of anesthesia care with the physician or dentist;

(3) select the method for administration of anesthesia or analgesia;

(4) select or administer appropriate medications and anesthetic agents during the peri-anesthetic or peri-analgesic period;

(5) order necessary medications and tests in the peri-anesthetic or peri-analgesic period;

(6) induce and maintain anesthesia or analgesia at the required levels;

(7) support life functions during the peri-anesthetic or peri-analgesic period;

(8) recognize and take appropriate action with respect to patient responses during the peri-anesthetic or peri-analgesic period;

(9) manage the patient's emergence from anesthesia or analgesia; and

(10) participate in the life support of the patient.

(b) Each registered nurse anesthetist may participate in periodic and joint evaluation of services rendered, including, but not limited to, chart reviews, case reviews, patient evaluation and outcome of case statistics.

(c) A registered nurse anesthetist shall perform duties and functions in an interdependent role as a member of a physician or dentist directed health care team.

History: L. 1986, ch. 183, § 8; L. 1988, ch. 242, § 4; L. 1996, ch. 179, § 5; L. 2010, ch. 33, § 1; July 1.