Press Release: Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Recognizes Contributions of CRNAs During National Nurses Month

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2021

Contact: Jennifer Harris | jharris@jwhcommunications.com | 512-773-7168

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Recognizes Contributions of CRNAs During National Nurses Month
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Play Integral Role in Texas’ Healthcare System

Austin, Texas—As Texans recover from the pandemic, the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TxANA) is shining a light on the work of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) from throughout our healthcare system during National Nurses Month. CRNAs provide high-quality, critical anesthesia care to Texans across rural and urban communities and in all types of healthcare settings.

With over 5,400 CRNAs in Texas, TxANA is highlighting the sacrifice and service CRNAs provide in and out of operating rooms, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities where they work.

“CRNAs are Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) who safely administer more than 50 million anesthetics in the United States each year,” said Greg Collins, DNP, CRNA, President of the TxANA Board of Directors. “Texas CRNAs have risen to the challenge of COVID-19 by serving on the front lines in facilities across Texas and the U.S. Many rural communities rely solely on anesthesia delivered by CRNAs to ensure the provision of obstetrical, surgical, and trauma stabilization services.”

“CRNAs not only provide high-quality anesthesia care to patients across Texas every day, but we also are uniquely equipped to manage the significant respiratory issues that manifest in severe COVID-19 cases,” said Abby Caswell, DNP, CRNA, President-Elect of the TxANA Board of Directors. “I’ve been so proud of my fellow Texas CRNAs for stepping up time and again throughout this pandemic to not only serve their patients and support their healthcare colleagues, but to support their local communities in other ways such as vaccine distribution.”

As they have for more than 150 years, Texas’ CRNAs are administering anesthesia, monitoring the patient’s vital signs, and managing emergencies. Each year, CRNAs ensure that millions of patients throughout the nation receive the safest anesthesia care possible. Recently, the Texas Attorney General reaffirmed that CRNAs do not require supervision by physician anesthesiologists, ensuring continued access to safe, reliable anesthesia care for Texans.

“The global pandemic further highlighted the importance of CRNAs to patients and our healthcare system. In Texas, CRNAs are often the primary or sole provider of anesthesia care in rural communities. And, through the pandemic, more Texans are aware of the unique skillset and advanced training that CRNAs bring to patient care,” said Collins.

To learn more about CRNAs, visit txana.org. For information on the National Nurses Month observance, visit ana.org.

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About TxANA: 

TxANA’s mission is to advance patient safety and the profession of nurse anesthesia. The membership is limited to CRNAs and SRNAs who are members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). Today there are over 5,400 CRNAs located in Texas.

The TxANA office is located at:
919 Congress Ave., Suite 720
Austin, Texas 78701

Online at:
www.txana.org