Aug 24: Rosemont, Ill. — The American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology announced the launch of Anesthesia Answers, a new patient education resource created by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists /nurse anesthesiologists to help patients and their families navigate one of healthcare’s most misunderstood topics: anesthesia.
Anesthesia Answers — now available at AnesthesiaAnswers.org — gives patients and their loved ones direct, credible answers to common anesthesia questions. The website walks patients through what to expect before, during, and after surgery, childbirth, or a procedure and helps them feel more prepared for conversations about their care. Its content is grounded in evidence-based standards and nationally recognized safety protocols that CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists bring to every procedure.
“Advancing patient safety has always been at the heart of what we do,” said incoming AANA President Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA. “Anesthesia Answers is how we extend that commitment beyond the procedure room and make sure every patient, regardless of where they live or who they are, has access to the information they deserve.”
CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists complete rigorous, graduate-level clinical training in anesthesia and bring advanced clinical expertise with compassionate, individualized, patient-centered care. From the moment a pre-anesthesia assessment begins to the time a patient leaves the recovery area, an anesthesia expert is actively managing their care. Anesthesia Answers is a ready-to-share resource that extends that dedication to keeping patients and their families informed —not only to ease their fears, not only to answer their questions about the anesthesia experience — but to empower them to be truly prepared, knowledgeable and active members of their own care team.
“Patients make better partners in their care when they have access to clear, trustworthy information ahead of the day of their surgery or procedure,” said Suzanne Wright, PhD, CRNA, FAANA, chair of AANA’s Patient Safety Advisory Panel. “Anesthesia Answers was developed to present evidence-based anesthesia information in language that is understandable to the public, helping patients and families feel more informed before they meet their CRNA.”