Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Ep 156: How the Economics of Healthcare Could Change Anesthesia

Money drives many of the decisions industries have to make and healthcare is no exception. As things become more expensive and less efficient, people are looking for ways to improve the quality and cost of care. Ian Hewer, PhD, CRNA, is an assistant professor at Western Carolina University and has turned much of his focus to healthcare economics and QZ team billing. Today he’ll tell us more about this team approach, how it’s impacting cost, and why it’s a good thing for CRNAs.    
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-155-how-the-economics-of-healthcare-could-change-anesthesia/3076/ 
 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
 
Make a Memorial or Tribute Gift to the AANA: https://www.aana.com/docs/default-source/foundation-aana-com-web-documents-(all)/memorial-and-tribute-gift-summary.pdf?sfvrsn=de8545b1_0 
 
What we discuss in this episode: 
4:34 – Introducing today’s guest and topic
6:53 – The anesthesia care team model
11:24 – Background on QZ billing
14:15 – Supervision
16:45 – How will affect the future of anesthesia?
22:48 – What does the average anesthetist make?
26:03 – Outcomes vs amount spent
30:57 – Solutions for the future
35:49 – What patients think of their care
37:02 – Problems with employer-based insurance system
38:34 – Two options we face
42:46 – CRNAs in good position
44:10 – Lightning Round

Ep 155: Proving the Quality and Cost Efficiency of CRNAs

Research is crucial to pushing the CRNA profession forward and that’s something that the AANA Foundation has dedicated its efforts to. To help us understand why so many resources are being poured into research and what we’re learning about anesthesia, AANA Foundation CEO Lorraine Jordan, PhD, CRNA, CAE, FAAN, joins the show. She shares the mission behind the foundation and gives us her perspective on what's ahead for CRNAs.
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-155-proving-the-quality-and-cost-efficiency-of-crnas/3087/ 
 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
 
Make a Memorial or Tribute Gift to the AANA: https://www.aana.com/docs/default-source/foundation-aana-com-web-documents-(all)/memorial-and-tribute-gift-summary.pdf?sfvrsn=de8545b1_0 
 
What we discuss in this episode: 
5:12 – Welcome on Lorraine
9:09 – Why we picked this topic
11:37 – Cost of research studies
15:23 – Research results
24:48 – Quality not being a priority
29:10 – CRNAs in rural areas
35:27 – Anesthesiologists and CRNAs working together
39:02 – Lorriane’s forward vision
45:20 – How to donate
50:10 – Final thoughts

Ep 154: Anne Penland’s Story - Nursing on the Frontlines of World War I and Early 20th Century Medicine

You won’t find Anne Penland’s name mentioned very often in the early history books about nursing, but this North Carolina nurse anesthetist served our country in some of the toughest environments. Our historical series continues with a spotlight on Penland and all of the incredible detail she provided on the war and early 20th-century anesthesia thanks to a well-written diary. We’re joined by our resident historians, Nancy Bruton-Maree, CRNA, and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA, to learn more about this incredible person.
 
Read more here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-154-anne-penlands-story-nursing-on-the-frontlines-of-world-war-i-and-early-20th-century-medicine/3069/ 
 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
 
What we discuss in this episode:
2:57 – Great feedback on the historical series
4:30 – Why is Penland so important?
5:45 – Early life
8:38 – Her time in Europe during WWI
13:35 – Working as a nurse anesthetist during the war
16:10 – Lessons learned from her diary
20:48 – Happy moments from the diary
22:48 – Serving with Agatha Hodgins
26:08 – Recognition for her service
29:42 – After the war
34:26 – Ceremony in 2017
41:54 – From the military to civilian healthcare
44:16 – So much happening in the world at the same time
47:51 – Building on the past
53:01 – Where to get additional information

Ep 153: The Business Side of Anesthesia

There’s no doubt that anesthesia is a big business but not every CRNA pays attention to that side of the profession. It might not be something you’re immediately interested in, but it’s important to help you understand your true value as a CRNA. Today we’re going to ask Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA, the CEO of YPS Anesthesia, about a number of important topics involving the business side of anesthesia and what the future might hold as the industry evolves.  
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-153-the-business-side-of-anesthesia/3060/ 
 
About our guest: https://ypsanesthesia.com/  
 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
 
What we discuss in this episode: 
2:41 – Excited for our guest today
3:58 – Background on Tracy
6:00 – How much the business has grown
7:42 – Trials and successes
9:56 – CRNAs that want to build a business
12:41 – Other areas he’s interested in beyond anesthesia
18:47 – How COVID has changed hospitals and health facilities
22:57 – Creating a great workplace
28:12 – Flexible models
30:12 – 1099 vs W-2
36:45 – Advice for healthcare insurance
39:17 – Understanding your value
45:14 – Cost-effectiveness of CRNAs
50:46 – Future for CRNAs
54:45 – What scares him the most about the future
56:36 – Lightning round

Ep 152: The Growth of Computerized Surgical Implants

Technology has been changing the healthcare industry for many years now but we’ve reached a point where computers have gone from outside the body to inside the body. Computerized surgical implants are being utilized in many different capacities to provide better care for patients, and that’s presenting some unique challenges for CRNAs. Today we talk with Adam Flowe, CRNA, who is the Chief Nurse Anesthetist at Duke, to talk about all the advancements in technology and what it means for the profession today and in the future.
 
Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-152-the-growth-of-computerized-surgical-implants/3054/ 
 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
 
What we discuss in this episode: 
3:16 – Welcome in Adam
4:23 – Background on Adam
6:51 – Why this topic?
11:42 – Why are we seeing more of these implants?
13:23 – Different types of implants
21:42 – Challenges for anesthesia providers
23:39 – Training SRNAs for this
26:59 – Can we be made smarter?
30:52 – Elon Musk health technology company
41:54 – How long can the body tolerate these things
42:38 – Final thoughts
43:19 – Lightning Round  

Ep 151: Tips & Techniques for Maintaining Strong Relationships During the Pandemic

Long-term relationships, whether they be personal or professional, have been under tremendous stress since the start of the pandemic. The same dynamics that typically produce rewarding relationships can also be turned around and used to negatively affect the parties involved. Keith and Lynn Macksey, CRNA, wrote Miracles in Marriage during COVID to explore the miracles that lie within these special relationships in our lives. Today we hear their story, learn from their experiences, and pick up a few tips and techniques that we can apply to our own relationships.
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-151-tips-techniques-for-maintaining-strong-relationships-during-the-pandemic/3049/ 
 
Check out their book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Marriage-Long-term-Committed-Relationships/dp/B08WV2Z3RM 
 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
 
What we discuss in this episode: 
3:33 – Why this topic?
4:46 – Story behind the book
9:35 – The value of the book
12:12 – Context drives content
15:38 – Story about one of the characters in the book
21:02 – Creating a positive context
24:45 – When you partner drives you nuts
31:04 – The CRNA personality type
37:00 – How we learn about relationships
40:16 – Where breakthroughs come from
47:35 – Taking things personally
56:09 – How age impacts things
1:00:51 – Ultimate veto
1:02:11 – Love is a verb not a noun
1:06:08 – Final thoughts
 

Ep 150: Expanding Role of CRNAs in Disaster Response

With the resources and skills that CRNAs possess, they are trained to succeed in crisis situations, which is why more and more of our peers are assisting in disaster response. One of those generous people is Corinne Chausse, a CRNA from North Carolina that has worked on the front lines of Iraq, at the epicenter of the pandemic, and other highly stressful locations. Today she joins the show to talk about this experience, share remarkable stories, and explain the many benefits of serving in these response roles. 
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-150-expanding-role-of-crnas-in-disaster-response/3042/ 
 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
 
What we discuss in this episode: 
4:09 – Background on Corrine
6:47 – Places she’s traveled to  
10:41 – Preparing herself for these violent locations  
11:54 – Handling blast injuries
14:55 – Influencing her work at home
16:38 – Dealing with COVID in NYC  
21:16 – Positive memories she has  
26:54 – The tremendous levels of stress  
34:24 – Advice CRNAs with an interest in this work  
37:54 – Lightning Round  

Ep 149: Quality of Care Studies in Anesthesia – Fact vs Myth

For the past 50+ years, numerous quality of care studies have been published that evaluated outcomes based on the anesthesia provider. These studies have produced great data but some of the research methods and findings were flawed. That’s been used by the ASA and AANA to promote agendas. We’ve invited Nancy Bruton-Maree, CRNA, and Sandy Ouellette, CRNA, back on the show to tell us about the different studies through the years and sort out the difference between fact and fiction.
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-149-quality-of-care-studies-in-anesthesia-fact-vs-myth/3034/ 
 
AANA Document: Quality of Care in Anesthesia
 
Get the CE certificate here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Beyond-the-Mask-CE-Cert-FILLABLE.pdf
 
What we discuss on this episode:
4:27 – An overview of the studies and findings
6:58 – Studies from the 1970s and 80s
10:58 – Bechtodt study
14:48 – When Sandy was president elect  
17:30 – The Silber Study
24:00 – Flawed results
26:45 – Analysis by Dr. Michael Pine
31:48 – Abenstein and Warmer article in 1996
32:27 – Vila Study in Archives of Study
33:17 – Dulisse & Cromwell study
38:15 – Needleman study in 2008
39:41 – Simonson study in 2007
41:15 – What do we know now in 2021?
43:05 – How to learn more
48:04 – We need to keep producing data
53:21 – The future is quality, cost and access