Beyond The Mask: Innovation & Opportunities For CRNAs

Patients trust that their healthcare providers are sending them to the best surgeon possible when the need arrives, but that’s not always the case. Too often, patients aren’t receiving the best match when surgery is required due to outdated methods but times are changing. Sanjay Prasad, MD, CACS, started the company SurgiQuality to better track surgeon results and better identify quality of care. Today he joins us to talk about this new business and its goal to improve both costs and care for all parties.   Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-159-tracking-surgeon-quality-to-improve-cost-care-for-patients/3121/    About our guest and his book: https://resettinghealthcare.com/    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:  2:36 – Background on our Dr. Prasad 5:03 – What’s the issue with surgical referrals right now? 7:52 – How SurgiQuality operates 10:18 – Acquiring data on surgeries 13:51 – COVID’s impact on healthcare 16:56 – Where are we headed? 19:02 – Dealing with difficult patients 21:20 – Working with surgeons for tracking results 24:02 – Dr. Prasad shares a story 26:11 – Who buys into SurgiQuality? 26:11 – How many companies are self-insured? 29:40 – Medicare and Medicaid 30:31 – Cost savings 32:22 – Details on his book 33:22 – Building the SurgiQuality platform 35:30 – Final message from Dr. Prasad  

Although you never go into a patient’s room with the expectation that anything will go wrong, sometimes it does. It’s important for nurses to be prepared in the event that a lawsuit is ever filed against you. Today we’ve invited attorney Nick Dowgul to the show to tell us more about the legal process and what can happen to your nursing license after a lawsuit. There’s a lot to learn and we want to make sure you are able to protect yourself and your career.   Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-158-how-to-protect-your-license-from-litigation/3113/    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:  3:24 – Background on Nick 5:19 – Malpractice coverage 8:50 – Lawsuits impacting your license 10:46 – How investigations work 12:06 – Pulling cell phone records of nurses 16:07 – Examples of cases he’s seen 21:31 – Where you can find infractions? 22:14 – Failing to adhere to minimum standards case 24:14 – Following a doctor’s order 30:16 – Should you get a lawyer?   32:00 – Insurance side of this 34:14 – How to find someone like Nick 35:53 – Summarizing the conversation  

We’ve stressed the importance of having CRNAs in clinical leadership positions as well as local government positions, but it’s equally valuable to have our peers in academic leadership roles as well. That’s why we’re excited to welcome Angela Mund, DNP, CRNA, back onto the show to talk about her new position as a department chair at the Medical University of South Carolina. In the first few months, she’s learned quite a bit about many different divisions and she’ll share some of that with us along with helping young CRNAs that are considering a similar path in academia.   Read more: https://beyondthemaskpodcast.com/ep-157-why-having-nurse-anesthesia-academic-leadership-matters/3101/    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:  4:36 – Welcome in Dr. Mund 5:44 – Her academic background 8:51 – What divisions she oversees 11:30 – Learning curves 13:45 – How did she get this role 15:25 – Advocating for CRNAs   19:29 – Favorite part of this role   21:42 – Biggest challenges 24:31 – How her experience as a CRNA has helped   28:28 – CRNAs that want to go this route 37:40 – Impact of moving to the doctorate 41:51 – Quality and quantity of students increasing 47:44 – Closing message from Angie  

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

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

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

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

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  

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  

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