2.1 The
AA works under the direct supervision of an anesthesiologist who
bills for the services. In addition, for each patient the anesthesiologist
must:
2.1.1 Perform
a pre-anesthetic examination and evaluation;
2.1.2 Prescribe the
anesthesia plan;
2.1.3 Personally participate in the most demanding
aspects of the anesthesia plan including, if applicable, induction
and emergence;
2.1.4 The anesthesiologist ensures that any procedures
in the anesthesia plan that he or she does not perform are performed
by a qualified AA.
2.1.5 Monitor the course of anesthesia administration
at frequent intervals;
2.1.6 Remain physically present and available
for immediate personal diagnosis and treatment of emergencies. While
it is not necessary that the anesthesiologist be personally present
for all services, the anesthesiologist must be within the operating
suite and available to provide immediate assistance.
2.1.7 Provide indicated
post anesthesia care; and
2.1.8 Perform no other services while he or she
supervises no more than four AAs concurrently. If the state where
the service is provided limits anesthesiologists to supervising
fewer than four AAs concurrently, the limit established by the state
is to be used.
2.3 The AA is a
graduate of a Master’s level anesthesiologist assistant educational
program that is established under auspices of an accredited medical
school and that:
2.3.1 Is
accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Educational
Programs (successor organization to the Committee on Allied Health
Education and Accreditation, or its successor organization; and
2.3.2 Includes approximately
two years of specialized basic science and clinical education in anesthesia
at a level that builds on a premedical undergraduate science background.