Texas CRNAs: Often the Only Access to Critical Care for Rural Texans During The COVID-19 Pandemic
Austin, Texas—Positive cases of COVID-19 in some of the state’s urban centers are now spilling over into Texas’ rural communities. These are communities where resources and health care services are scarce.
The Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TxANA) notes that rural hospitals have often relied on CRNAs to serve as their facility’s sole provider of anesthesia care, and during the state’s temporary ban on elective surgeries, many of these same CRNAs also stepped up to assume different roles.
CRNAs are uniquely equipped to manage the significant respiratory issues that manifest in severe COVID-19 cases. They also have a specialized skillset of particular value under these extreme circumstances.
Andrea Malcolm, a CRNA and TxANA member, was once the sole provider of anesthesia care at her rural facility. Malcolm now educates other health care professionals on how to operate a ventilator, tracks down available critical care supplies and readies the facility for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients.
TxANA thanks its members who are serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic wherever they may be located.
We also ask that all Texans do all they can to stay healthy and safe during this time.
Photo, Right: Andrea Malcolm, a CRNA in rural Texas and a member of the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, is working hard to ensure her hospital and community are ready to respond to COVID-19.
About TxANA:
TxANA’s mission is advancing patient safety and the profession of nurse anesthesia. TxANA is a not for profit association aimed to advance the profession of nurse anesthesia, enhance the art and science of anesthesiology, and facilitate the provision of accessible, affordable, high quality health care. The membership is limited to Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Nurse Anesthesia Students (SRNAs) who are members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA). Today there are over 48,000 CRNAs practicing throughout the United States, of which, over 4,500 are located in Texas.