Bill > S0360

This bill modifies regulations for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in South Carolina by removing existing requirements for supervised practice and introducing new prescriptive authority provisions. The bill eliminates the previous definition of "approved written guidelines" and removes the requirement that CRNAs practice under direct physician or dentist supervision. Instead, it establishes a comprehensive framework for CRNAs to obtain prescriptive authority, including specific requirements such as completing 45 contact hours of pharmacology education, obtaining board approval, and meeting stringent prescribing guidelines. CRNAs can now prescribe medications within their specialty field, including certain controlled substances with limitations, such as Schedule II narcotic substances being restricted to a 24-hour supply. The bill also outlines conditions under which prescriptive authorization can be terminated, such as failing to maintain specialty certification or prescribing outside the CRNA's scope of practice. Additionally, the bill repeals previous sections of law related to physician supervision of CRNAs, effectively granting these advanced practice nurses more professional autonomy in their medical practice.

Health and Social Services

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=0360&session=126&summary=B