On Tuesday February 5th, Florida SB732 was introduced and sponsored by Anitere Flores, R-Miami, proposing a variety of mandates to increase patient safety in office-based ambulatory surgery centers. In page 2 of 42 of SB732 it states “prohibiting performance of a level III procedure in a center unless an anesthesiologist is present and available”.

This statement can have a profound impact on the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) community servicing these centers with a proven national safety track record comparable to Medical Doctor Anesthesiologists (MDA), various studies have shown.

Unfortunately, patient deaths have occurred in the community over the past few years are an area of concern. Key parameters should be taken to enhance elements of safety, but we the CRNA community urge you Senator Flores, to review the facts. These deaths were not solely anesthesia related deaths and were not due to the type of anesthesia provider. These deaths in fact were due to surgical complications of a procedure with well known risks outside the realm of anesthesia related complications.