April 2000
Volume 64 |
Number 4
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| Letters to the
Editor |
ASA Knocked Out of Its Own Ring: Reader Wants New Fight
I was shocked, humiliated, embarrassed by your February "Ventilations,"
which let us know that we are number two in the fund-raising business.
We are behind guess who? -- the American Association of Nurse
Anesthetists. It is ironic that this issue contained the profiles
of our fine leaders for this year. I can guarantee you that the
leadership can't carry the fight by themselves. Could this shortfall
possibly be the result of the whiners in the hospital coffee lounge
wondering why somebody doesn't do something for them. The ASA
is you!
The very least you can do is write a check now to ASAPAC for
$125 or $500 and send it to 520 N. Northwest Highway, Park Ridge,
IL 60068-2573. Don't wait for the end of the activity year. Send
one now and another in October. No one asked me to write this.
It comes from a concerned retired ASA member who wonders what's
happening to the specialty.
Dr. Mark Lema, you're doing a fine job with the NEWSLETTER.
John S. Hattox. M.D.
San Diego, California
Who's Responsible? Look in the Mirror
In my residency, I organized a small letter-writing campaign
to Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) regarding the issue
of physician supervision of nurse anesthetists; then I heaved
a sign of relief when HCFA promised to act only once a study had
been conducted. I felt confident we would carry the day in any
such study. I really haven't given the matter much thought since
that time.
Then I picked up this month's (February)
NEWSLETTER. Two articles really struck me. First, Mr. Scott's
article on bill S. 866, currently in committee before the Senate
to allow nurse anesthetists to practice unsupervised by anesthesiologists
(sound familiar?). Second, there was Dr. Lema's appeal to all
of us to support the ASA Political Action Committee. Obviously,
these two are related and I finally "got it" and realized the
someone who needed to act could be found in the nearest mirror.
I sent the following letter [excerpted here] to every co-sponsor
of the bill (there are 11) as well as to the senators of my state:
Senator Gorton:
It has come to my attention that you are currently
co-sponsoring a bill (S. 866) to allow nurse anesthetists to practice
outside of the supervision of an anesthesiologist. I find it quite
troubling that such a measure be proposed without the study that
outcomes be determined for the two modes of practice.
I must heartily disagree with the proposal and defend the
practice of anesthesiology as being the practice of a medical
specialty, with training, skills and knowledge as specific and
important as that of surgery, internal medicine or pediatrics.
I am an anesthesiologist who has spent 12 years plus three
years in research. I have elected to spend an additional year's
training (fellowship) in the care of pediatric patients. Why?
Because when I look a parent in the eye and say that I can take
care of his or her child, I want to know that I am the best person
to do so and have all the training and experience to keep that
child safe through the dangers of surgery.
I ask you to think about the care you would desire for yourself
or your family. I think each and every surgical patient deserves
the advantage of a physician trained in anesthesiology.
As for ASAPAC, well, the check is in the mail. And I mean it!
Thanks for beating the dead horse. I finally got up!
Valerie A. Salmons, M.D.
Seattle, Washington
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