Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Ep 224: ASA 2022 Difficult Airway Algorithm Update

The latest update to the ASA Difficult Airway Algorithm has a number of key changes that Jeremy and Sass will take you through in this episode of the podcast. You’ll notice that the Algorithm is much more practical and easier to use in an emergency. Overall there’s been a massive emphasis placed on situational awareness and limiting attempts, and for the first time, there are guidelines for pediatric difficult airways.
 
Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:
The updates to the algorithm that you should be aware of. (2:21)
The most important changes in this fourth iteration. (3:14)
Why airway management might not be safer today than it’s been in the past. (6:15)
Intubation awake vs after induction. (9:17)
Providing oxygen throughout airway management. (12:54)
An update on capnography. (15:20)
A greater emphasis on the passage of time. (16:09)
Combination techniques. (19:01)
Follow-up care suggestions. (20:38)
 
Read more about the algorithm: https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article/136/1/31/117915/2022-American-Society-of-Anesthesiologists
About our hosts: https://www.kpsan.org/school/people/
Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Ep 223: Starting Your Own Aesthetic Injectables Practice

Necessity is the mother of invention and today’s guest is a living example of that. Suzanne Jagger, DNP, CRNA, APRN, was on vacation in Fiji when she got an email that her contract was up. Without work and a family to care for, she quickly decided on the trip to learn Botox and ended up starting her own business soon after returning home.
Now Suzanne is helping other CRNAs and NPs learn how to follow her path to start their own aesthetic injectables practice, and she’ll share that experience on this episode.
Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:
The fascinating story of how she got started in this business. (4:54)
Why she started training CRNAs and NPs. (6:21)
What all does running a business entail and how much different is it from working as (9:58)
How long does it take to start your own practice and will you make any money? (18:57)
Why are CRNAs in a position to do great in this business? (21:53)
She recommends advance practice providers to get the best training. (23:09)
Why she calls aesthetics ‘happy medicine’ (35:38)
 
About our guest:  
https://aurapdx.com/ 
https://www.appaesthetics.com/ 
Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Ep 222: The Experience of a WWII Nurse Anesthetist & the Lessons Learned

When you look back over the history of nurse anesthesia, the most forgotten group of nurses might have been those that served the country during World War II. It took nearly a half-century to tell their story but thanks to Carolyn Nicholson the legacy of that group of incredible nurses is being carried on today. We’ll look back at the war and the role of nurse anesthetists by telling the story of Adeline Simonson, whose experience is very much like all the brave individuals serving on the front lines. 
 
Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:
Why she got interested in this topic and what’s she learned about that time period. (3:45)
How she discovered Adeline and what she learned about her going overseas. (5:02)
The training they received before leaving. (8:39)
What agents were they using at that time? (13:02)
How they dealt with anesthesia shortages and improved upon them. (16:49)
Details on the horrible conditions that nurses had to endure. (20:34)
The boom in anesthesia that happened following the war. (27:15)
Carolyn’s experience meeting Adeline’s family. (28:39)
Carolyn’s final thoughts on the topic. (34:52)
 
Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Ep 221: Name That Shock State

Before a CRNA ever gets to the operating room to perform anesthesia, they need to be thoroughly prepared for what they might face. Having checklists to follow is great, but they’re only effective if the diagnosis is correct.
That’s why Jeremy and Sass believe in reviewing the principles related to crisis management so that you can make the correct diagnosis for every scenario you find yourself in. In this episode, we’re going to help you identify different shock states by reviewing differential diagnoses, the rationale for the treatment, and the mechanism of action of medications used for the treatment of the crisis. Then we’ll finish it off by providing a few test questions to better prepare you for upcoming exams.
 
Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:
How we think of shock. (3:18)
The case we’re facing on this episode. (4:35)
The issues you’re facing. (7:52)
What can you rule out at this point and what shock state does this seem to be? (11:50)
Signs and symptoms associated with cardiac tamponade. (13:29)
The mechanism of cardiac compressive shock. (17:44)
Diagnosing cardiac tamponade. (19:36)
What treatment should you use to manage this scenario? (19:36)
A few test questions to prepare you. (24:44)
 
About our hosts: https://www.kpsan.org/school/people/
Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Ep 220: Financial Therapy for CRNAs

CRNAs face stressful situations every day but that doesn’t always prepare them to deal with the obstacles that life can throw your way, especially when those events put a strain on your finances. Oftentimes, your relationship with a financial advisor might feel more like a therapy session during emotional times, and that’s ok. Let’s discuss some scenarios where it’s almost inevitable that a talk with your advisor seems like a counseling session.
 
Here are some of the scenarios we’ll discuss on this show:
Going through a divorce. (5:55)
When you face career difficulties. (12:20)
If you’re facing medical problems. (16:48)
When you’re not happy with the financial decisions your kids are making. (21:18)
The loss of a spouse (24:45)
 
Learn more about financial planning: https://www.crnafinancialplanning.com/
Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Ep 219: The Future of Healthcare & Anesthesia with Scott Becker

As we put the finishing touches on another year, we didn’t want to use this time looking backward. Instead, we want to zoom out and get a better idea of where healthcare is headed. Who better to discuss this than Scott Becker, who is the founder of Becker’s Healthcare and someone who has his finger on the pulse of the industry.
We’re loaded with a long list of questions and have plenty we want to discuss, but we’re going to focus most of the conversation on anesthesia and the shortage of providers that will be a big issue heading into the new year and beyond. Having an outsider's perspective of our profession is incredibly valuable and we think you’ll agree after listening to everything he has to say.
 
Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:
How he started the business and how it’s evolved since the beginning. (4:02)
The shortage of anesthesia providers will be one of the big issues in healthcare in 2023. (7:46)
The future of CRNA salaries and whether pay increases are sustainable. (20:00)
Could a reimbursement model based on acuity be a possibility? (30:24)
Can rural hospitals survive in this current environment? (35:55)
What will health insurance look like in the future and what are the main challenges? (42:41)
What role does private equity play in the future of healthcare? (51:13)
What bold move(s) can CRNAs or our associations take now to position ourselves as healthcare leaders? (55:48)
 
About our guest: https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/ 
Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Ep 218: Respiratory Q&A Test Prep

We’re shifting gears a bit in this episode by focusing on the examination side of anesthesia and hosting our first ever Q&A episode. Since students take a lot of tests in anesthesia school and CRNAs are prepping for the CPC examination, testing is a critical part of the profession.
As educators, Jeremy and Sass both write a lot of test questions so they’ll share their experience from that side of the test-taking process. They'll also give you methods to analyze the questions in a way that can help you narrow down to the correct answer. Hey...it's Q&A day, so let us know what you think.
 
Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:
Which measure is an accurate indicator of preoxygenation? (3:04)
Which effect explains the right work shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve? (6:15)
Which factors cause a left work shift in the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve? (10:14)
Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction is inhibited by…? (12:58)
What is the infrared wavelength measured by pulse oximetry? (17:20)
Which inspiratory muscles are involved with supplemental inspiratory effort during times of respiratory distress? (23:09)
 
About our hosts: https://www.kpsan.org/school/people/
Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf

Ep 217: Doctoral Project Review – Optimizing Transition from SRNA to CRNA

Today we bring on our first DNAP candidate, Gerald Murphy, MS, CRNA, APRN, to share his Doctoral Scholarly Project and use this platform as the dissemination piece. He has focused his attention on the transition period for SRNAs moving into the workforce and beginning their career as CRNAs. This new independence can be overwhelming and a bit scary so improving that process and providing guidance for our newest professionals can be very valuable. 
 
Here are some of the things you’ll learn on this show:
Gerald’s background and why he chose this topic. (6:18)
What was his experience when he finished anesthesia school? (8:24)
The problem he found when reviewing the literature. (11:05)
What questions did he ask during his pilot survey and what did he want to gather from them? (16:11)
Are our anesthesia programs doing a good job preparing SRNAs for this transition? (23:40)
What can preceptors do to help the SRNAs? (27:51)
Advice for SRNAs. (34:10)
 
Visit us online: http://beyondthemaskpodcast.com 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf