Indiana Governor Mike Pence (R) signed into law Senate Bill 233 yesterday, which authorizes licensure for anesthesiologist assistants. The American Society of Anesthesiologists® (ASA®) and the Indiana Society of Anesthesiologists (ISA) applaud this action, which will make the services of anesthesiologist assistants available to Indiana patients.
"We have supported and encouraged licensure of anesthesiologist assistants in Indiana," said ISA President William L. McNiece, M.D. "We are dedicated to serving the best interests of all patients, and this is an important step forward for the future of patient safety and anesthesia care in Indiana."
Anesthesiologist assistants have served patients as members of physician anesthesiologist-led anesthesia care teams for more than forty years. They are now authorized to practice in 16 states and the District of Columbia, and are recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and the Veterans Affairs system. Anesthesiologist assistants are highly skilled non-physician anesthesia care providers who only provide care under the medical direction of a physician anesthesiologist. Qualified by graduate school level academic and clinical education, anesthesiologist assistants participate in the delivery and maintenance of quality anesthesia care as well as advanced patient monitoring techniques.
According to McNiece, yesterday's action by Governor Pence will help Indiana keep pace with the growing demand for anesthesia services while ensuring patient safety.