Bill > AB876

This bill clarifies and expands the legal framework for nurse anesthetists' scope of practice in California by expressly authorizing them to perform anesthesia services. The bill defines "anesthesia services" to include preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care, pain management, medication administration, and emergency services performed under a physician's, dentist's, or podiatrist's order. Importantly, the bill stipulates that when a healthcare provider orders anesthesia services for a specific patient, the nurse anesthetist is automatically authorized to select, implement, modify, or abort the anesthesia modality during the patient's care. The bill also specifies that when nurse anesthetists select and administer medications, including controlled substances, for patient care, this does not constitute a formal prescription under federal regulations. Additionally, the bill emphasizes that these provisions are declaratory of existing law and are consistent with previous legal interpretations, such as a 2012 California court case, and do not fundamentally alter the existing scope of practice for nurse anesthetists. The overall aim appears to be providing clear legal guidelines that recognize and support the professional autonomy and clinical decision-making capabilities of certified nurse anesthetists.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB876