Improving Access to Safe,
Cost-Effective Anesthesia Care
The South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (S.C.A.N.A.) is the leading professional organization representing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and nurse anesthesia residents throughout the Palmetto state. Our members play a vital role in South Carolina’s health care system, providing safe, high-quality anesthesia care in hospitals, surgical centers, physician offices and communities of all sizes. From major medical centers to rural and underserved areas, nurse anesthetists help ensure patients have access to the care they need.
Whether you are a practicing CRNA, a nurse anesthesia resident, a health-care partner or someone interested in learning more about the profession, we invite you to explore our website and discover how S.C.A.N.A. is strengthening anesthesia care across South Carolina — and what more can be done to enhance care in South Carolina.
DID YOU KNOW?
S.C.A.N.A. serves over 1,600 CRNAs & nurse anesthesia residents across S.C.
DID YOU KNOW?
CRNAs provide >80% of anesthesia care in rural areas.
DID YOU KNOW?
S.C. operates 2 highly rated nurse anesthetist programs on 4 campuses. Learn More Here.
DID YOU KNOW?
CRNAs complete about 9,000 clinical hours of education & training.
Education & Training
CRNAs endure rigorous education and training standards — the average nurse anesthetist completes about 9,000 clinical hours between nursing school, ICU clinical practice and nurse anesthesia training. That level of education and training enables them to manage complex patients safely and adapt to evolving health-care demands. Take a deeper dive and learn more about the depth and structure of CRNA education in South Carolina.
Proven Safety Record
Numerous medical studies show there is no statistical difference in patient outcomes when a nurse anesthetist provides treatment. In fact, studies by nationally recognized health-care policy and research organizations prove that CRNAs provide high-quality care, even for rare and difficult procedures. Moreover, decades of evidence from states that allow full practice authority demonstrates no decline in quality, safety, or outcomes when CRNAs practice without burdensome supervision requirements.
Access to Care
CRNAs help to fill critical gaps in care, providing safe, high-quality, and cost-effective care, especially in rural and other medically underserved communities. In fact, CRNAs provide more than 80% of anesthesia care in rural areas, ensuring patients undergo timely surgery safely, have access to pain management, and avoid needless delay or travel when CRNAs practice without burdensome supervision requirements.
Legislative Updates
For decades, South Carolina has relied on an outdated statutory framework for the delivery of nurse anesthesia care. While healthcare, technology, and CRNA education and training have advanced, state law continues to require physician or dentist supervision of CRNAs. As health-care demands grow — and as South Carolina’s population booms — increasing access to CRNAs is key to containing costs while maintaining access to quality care.
Education & Training
Proven Safety Record
CRNAs endure rigorous education and training standards — the average nurse anesthetist completes about 9,000 clinical hours between nursing school, ICU clinical practice and nurse anesthesia training. That level of education and training enables them to manage complex patients safely and adapt to evolving health-care demands. Take a deeper dive and learn more about the depth and structure of CRNA education in South Carolina.
Numerous medical studies show there is no statistical difference in patient outcomes when a nurse anesthetist provides treatment. In fact, studies by nationally recognized health-care policy and research organizations prove that CRNAs provide high-quality care, even for rare and difficult procedures. Moreover, decades of evidence from states that allow full practice authority demonstrates no decline in quality, safety, or outcomes when CRNAs practice without burdensome supervision requirements.
Access to Care
CRNAs help to fill critical gaps in care, providing safe, high-quality, and cost-effective care, especially in rural and other medically underserved communities. In fact, CRNAs provide more than 80% of anesthesia care in rural areas, ensuring patients undergo timely surgery safely, have access to pain management, and avoid needless delay or travel when CRNAs practice without burdensome supervision requirements.
For decades, South Carolina has relied on an outdated statutory framework for the delivery of nurse anesthesia care. While healthcare, technology, and CRNA education and training have advanced, state law continues to require physician or dentist supervision of CRNAs. As health-care demands grow — and as South Carolina’s population booms — increasing access to CRNAs is key to containing costs while maintaining access to quality care.