News

USA SIGNS CONTRACT FOR LOBBYING AND CONSULTING SERVICES:

On July 16, 2012 the USA (Utah Society of Anesthesiologists) signed a long term contract with DLS Consulting.  This firm will assemble a lobbying and consulting team that will  advise and lobby for the USA on a broad spectrum of legislative matters as well as advising the USA PAC and provide guidance on public relations matters.  DLS Consulting is also available to assist and advise any member of the USA who might consider seeking public office.

UTAH HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION (UHA) DECIDES TO NOT SPONSOR RURAL OPT OUT:

The Utah Hospital Association at one point in late 2012 had decided that they would co-sponsor legislation in the 2013 legislative session to modify licensing laws in Utah to allow Nurse Anesthetists (aka NAs or CRNAs) to practice without physician oversight/supervision in rural areas of the state (Rural Opt Out).  The USA strongly opposes Opt Out of any type as this Society believes that it is not in the best interest of patient safety. After the leadership of the USA (Utah Society of Anesthesiologists) made multiple rural hospital visits and generated a research white-paper on the issue of rural anesthesia care and Opt-Out for the UHA, the leadership of the UHA changed their mind and indicated that the UHA would NOT support Opt Out. The UHA circulated the white-paper to their rural hospital administrators where it was well received in answering many unfounded and mis-construed Opt Out issues raised by rural health care providers/administrators. 

That NAs provide a valuable service within the state health care structure is uncontested.   But Opt Out represents a major shift in licensing of mid-level providers that creates an breech in an important quality and safety net that the team approach to health care provides.  The USA has been actively engaged in efforts to extend Anesthesia Care Team model of practice to rural sites within the state.  All members of this Society and members of the public who believe that mid-level providers should continue to be medically supervised are encouraged to contact their state legislators to express their opinion.

TO FIND YOUR UTAH SENATOR AND REPRESENTATIVE:

 Go to the following site and enter your street address and zip code (both are required). http://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp#

Available in the Members Only section of the website:

  • 2011 ASA Legislative Report
  • Summary post-election report from USA's lobbyist