Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

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

Ep 148: Mental Health Awareness for Healthcare Workers and Trainees

The rate of mental health illness has already been on the rise among young adults and these past two years have added even more stress to our lives. We know first-hand how difficult things have been for healthcare workers and students alike. Michael Rieker, CRNA, DNP, FAAN, like many people, has been personally impacted by suicide and now uses that experience to help improve the mental health for people he comes in contact with each day. He joins us on this episode to talk about the challenges facing our industry, how we can personally make a difference in someone’s life, and an upcoming event that will honor the memory of an SRNA.
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-148-mental-health-awareness-for-healthcare-workers-and-trainees/3022/ 
 
About our guest: https://school.wakehealth.edu/Faculty/R/Michael-Rieker 
 
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: 
2:44 – Welcome in Mike Rieker. Why this is important to talk about.
4:53 – Background on Mike
5:32 – What has been driving mental health issues
8:49 – Effect on healthcare workers
13:20 – The quiet stressors
18:48 – Enormous pressure on anesthesia students
22:48 – Lessons he’s learned  
27:06 – Empathizing with people
30:22 – Providing support  
34:43 – Difficulty in finding balance
39:00 – The annual run
40:59 – Final thoughts
41:29 – Lightning round
45:25 – Details on the run

Ep 147: APRN Regulation and Independent Practice with Ronald Castaldo, PhD, MBA, MS, CRNA, APRN

One positive that’s emerged from the pandemic is the reality that nurses are extremely good at their job and can thrive in an independent setting. The hope is that this will help APRNs and CRNAs move closer to a career where they can practice to the full extent of their training and education without statutory barriers. Today we’ve invited Ronald Castaldo, PhD, MBA, MS, CRNA, APRN, onto the show to discuss the pro-APRN wins in recent years and to help all CNRAs understand the importance of the state boards of nursing. He also provides a detailed background and breakdown of the APRN Consensus Model and the APRN Compact.
 
Read more and get additional resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-147-aprn-regulation-and-independent-practice-with-ronald-castaldo-ph-d-mba-ms-crna-aprn/3017/ 
 
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: 
2:59 – Welcome in Ron
6:37 – State board of nursing
8:35 – Different levels of discipline
12:57 – What gets reported to the national practitioner databank
16:09 – Losing your nursing license
21:12 – What is the APRN Consensus Model
26:29 – CRNAs working independently
32:13 – APRN compact
39:37 – Pandemic silver lining
40:32 – What’s the process to move states?
42:17 – Opponents to this
45:12 – Final thoughts
48:48 – Lightning round

Ep 146: Leading Up – How CRNAs Can Lead Without Being in Charge

Being a great leader doesn’t require a person to be in a position of power. Every CRNA has the opportunity to make a difference each day by leading up. The dean of Loma Linda University’s School of Nursing, Shawn Collins, PhD, DNP, CRNA, joins the show today to talk with us about this idea of making an impact from whatever role you’re in.
 
Read more and get additional financial resources here: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-146-leading-up-how-crnas-can-lead-without-being-in-charge/3012/ 
 
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: 
2:39 – Background on our guest today
5:03 – Why this topic is important  
6:11 – Different types of power  
9:21 – What is leading up?  
12:47 – Takeaways from being on hospital board
14:34 – Tips for leading up
18:20 – Emotional intelligence
22:43 – Leadership is learned
24:48 – Final thoughts from Shawn
26:45 – Lightning Round

Ep 145: Why Regulatory Reform Strengthens the CRNA Profession

You might have noticed a surge in articles and stories about the nurse anesthesia profession in recent days and weeks, and that’s because of the push for regulatory reform. Joe Rodriguez, CRNA, has always been one to push for change and advocate for healthcare policy reform, and that’s the position he’s in once again. He joins us on this episode to discuss the changing landscape in the AANA, why leadership needs to be a priority, and explains what reform can mean for the future.
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-145-why-regulatory-reform-strengthens-the-crna-profession/3007/ 
 
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: 
4:51 – Welcome in Joe
7:28 – Why we’re discussing this right now
10:55 – Background on Joe and his practice  
14:44 – Diving into politics  
18:22 – Building relationships  
20:57 – How advocacy has impacted business
25:28 – Being scared of losing
30:35 – Corporate responsibility
34:30 – Time and effort it takes
38:36 – Collaboration is key
41:43 – Value in nurse anesthesiologist  
44:44 – Biggest challenge facing CRNAs  
48:42 – Message to folks that disagree with him
54:09 – Final thoughts
54:43 – Lightning round

Ep 144: Cultural Humility in the Nurse Anesthesia Profession

The issue of diversity isn’t one that’s limited to certain areas of the country or specific professions. It’s a problem that people everywhere are trying to solve, including the CRNA profession. We want to explore the topic and try to get a better understanding of the barriers and challenges for minorities entering this field so we asked Richard Flowers, CHSE, CRNA, DNP, to join the show to provide us with his insight and experience in this area.
 
Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-144-cultural-humility-in-the-nurse-anesthesia-profession/3002/ 
 
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:
4:24 – Excited for our guest today
7:27 – Background on Richie
10:06 – Why is this topic important
13:18 – Where does the problem start?
18:17 – Bringing awareness and context to the problem
20:19 – Barriers to diversity
25:05 – Cultural humility vs Cultural competence
26:58 – Programs at Wake Forest
36:04 – Millennials’ view of race
39:17 – Takeaway for CRNA listeners
44:32 – Why are you teaching this?
53:05 – Lightning round

Ep 143: A Complete Look Into the AANA Doctoral Task Force with Sandy Ouellette, CRNA

Back in 2006, the AANA Board of Directors appointed a Doctoral Task Force to explore the future direction in nurse anesthesia education. Sandy Ouellette was chosen to co-chair the task force and help lead those discussions that would shape the future for CRNAs. Today she joins us to provide an inside look at how it was composed, the original purpose and process, and all of the options were on the table.
 
Get the show notes: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-143-a-complete-look-into-the-aana-doctoral-task-force-with-sandy-ouellette-crna/2983/ 
 
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:
2:07 – Welcome back Sandy  
4:37 – Events that led to the task force
6:59 – Move to university-based graduate programs
9:00 – What happened in 2004  
11:56 – Summit meeting in 2005 to create the Task Force
13:27 – Start of the Task Force
16:33 – Who was appointed to the Task Force?  
20:06 – Responsibilities given to the task force
21:49 –  The options they had to decide on
23:59 – Board adopts a position
25:51 – Thoughts behind the options the discussing
32:17 – Option 2 discussed  
35:58 – Option 3
38:30 – Option 4  
43:36 – Cautionary tales she would share with other directors
49:39 – Lightning Round

Ep 142: Promoting CRNAs & Anesthesia Through Social Media

As CRNAs continue to push for more awareness and understanding of the profession, social media has emerged as one of the great tools for accomplishing this goal. Rhianna Ferial, CRNA, and her husband have completely embraced the medium on multiple platforms to educate, mentor, and inspire. Today she joins the show to talk about the reason she devotes so much time to social media and how it ties into her entrepreneurial drive in conjunction with anesthesia.
 
Show notes: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-142-promoting-crnas-anesthesia-through-social-media/2978/ 
 
Connect with Rhianna: https://www.instagram.com/rhiannaferial/?hl=en 
 
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: 
3:32 – Welcome in Rhianna
6:03 – Background on her nursing career
8:07 – Importance and influence of social media  
9:50 – Becoming aware of the CRNA profession
10:44 – How she got started in social media and what platforms she uses
13:16 – Pursuits outside of anesthesia
14:42 – Real estate investing
17:40 – Goal to become a millionaire  
22:51 – When do you want to retire from anesthesia?  
25:52 – Working per diem
27:32 – What’s the ultimate objective
31:05 – Her Financial Freedom business
34:19 – Why the passion for finance?
37:23 – Final thoughts
39:35 – Lightning round