CA AB876

Expressly authorizes nurse anesthetists to perform anesthesia services, including preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care, pain management, medication selection and administration, and emergency/critical care services

An order from a physician, dentist, or podiatrist for anesthesia services authorizes the nurse anesthetist to independently select, implement, abort, or modify the anesthesia modality during patient care

Medication selection and administration by nurse anesthetists (including controlled substances) pursuant to a physician, dentist, or podiatrist order does not constitute a "prescription" under federal law

The Board of Registered Nursing continues to certify nurse anesthetists based on standards from the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists

The bill states these provisions are declaratory of existing law and prior advisory opinions, including the 2012 California Society of Anesthesiologists v. Brown court decision