Thank you to all TANA Members who contacted their legislators!

 Public Chapter 513

TANA BILL BECOMES LAW

 

The Tennessee Association of Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) introduced legislation (SB 1014/HB 629) to the Tennessee General Assembly this session to address language within the pharmacy statute related to the definition of “prescription order”, clarifying the ability of a CRNA to carry out their scope of practice to select, order and administer drugs during services ordered by a physician, dentist or podiatrist provided by a CRNA in collaboration with the ordering physician, dentist or dentist that are within the scope of practice of the CRNA and authorized by clinical privileges granted by the medical staff of the facility.  Senator Steve Dickerson and Representative Mary Littleton carried the bill, and it received unanimous support in both the House and Senate floor votes.  The bill was signed by Governor Bill Haslam on May 20, 2015 and is now Public Chapter 513.  To read Public Chapter 513, please click on the following link: http://www.tn.gov/sos/acts/109/pub/pc0513.pdf.

The new law ensures that the definition of “prescription order” reflects the current practice of CRNAs, thus allowing CRNAs to continue practicing as they do now.  It makes it clear that CRNAs do not need a Certificate of Fitness for prescriptive authority to select, order and administer drugs to carry out their scope of practice.

TANA would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the bill sponsors, Senator Steve Dickerson and Representative Mary Littleton, for their efforts in passing this new law and for their support of CRNAs across the state.  We would also like to thank all of the TANA members who contacted their legislators about this issue—your efforts were a significant factor in our success.