Addressing the Anesthesia Workforce Shortage by Reducing Barriers and Expanding Educational Opportunities to Increase the Supply of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists in Washington (ESSB 6286)
Description:
UW CHWS, in collaboration with the Board, Washington Medical Commission, and the Department of Health, was required to study the workforce shortages in each facility providing anesthesia services in Washington State. An initial report was required to be submitted to the Legislature beginning June 30, 2025. A final report was to be due on June 30, 2029; however, funding was only available for Fiscal Year 2025 and no funding was allocated beyond this. Thus, no further findings were produced beyond the Fiscal Year 2025 report.
The report was required to include, but was not limited to: identifying the factors and barriers to entry into the profession of nurse anesthesiology; evaluating and assessing the current training and pipeline for CRNAs; developing recommendations that reduce barriers for individuals who want to become CRNAs and increasing the available clinical training slots for nurse anesthesia residents; creating and maintaining an implementation plan to improve the pipeline for CRNAs in the state; identifying the number of qualified anesthesia providers, including, at a minimum, physician anesthesiologists and CRNAs, who may practice independently in the state of Washington at each facility providing anesthesia services; and providing policy recommendations to expand the nurse anesthesia workforce and optimize the cost of providing anesthesia services, including initiatives for all practicing independent anesthesia providers to practice at the top of their license.
UW CHWS submitted a final report June 30, 2029, detailing the findings from the first year of the project: (1) an overview of occupations which provide anesthesia care in Washington state, (2) an in-depth literature review to describe current approaches for addressing anesthesia workforce gaps and (3) a descriptive analysis of the anesthesia workforce using data associated with Washington state licenses.
Lead Researchers: Paula Kett, PhD, MPH, RN, IBCLC & Bianca Frogner, PhD
Contact Information: pmk@uw.edu & bfrogner@uw.edu
Funder:
Washington State Legislature
Status:
Complete
Links/Documents:
https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/Senate/6286-S.E%20SBR%20APS%2024.pdf?q=20240727014317
Publications/Presentations
| Authors | Title | Type | Date | Documents/Media |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kett PM, Woodward KF, Pollack SW, Oster NV, Kaplan L, Skillman SM, Frogner BK | Washington State’s Anesthesia Workforce (Occupational Briefs) | PUBLICATION | 06-30-2025 | |
| Kett PM, Woodward KF, Pollack SW, Oster NV, Kaplan L, Skillman SM, Frogner BK | Washington State’s Anesthesia Workforce | PUBLICATION | 06-30-2025 | Full Report |
| Kett PM, Woodward KF, Pollack SW, Oster NV, Kaplan L, Skillman SM, Frogner BK | An Overview of the Washington State Anesthesia Workforce | PRESENTATION | 05-19-2025 |