A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is nothing short of a superhero. Why? They carry a heavy load of responsibility toward healthcare. They have been providing anesthetic aid for more than 150 years in the United States  Today, over 59,000 CRNAs practice throughout the United States. 

Preparing pre-anesthesia screenings, preparing and administrating drugs, and managing patients’ airway and pulmonary status are just a small peek into their daily physically and mentally challenging duties.

In veterans’ hospitals, American armed forces hospitals, and rural area hospitals, nurse anesthetists play a vital role in administering anesthesia. CRNAs may be subjected to an even more busy schedule than surgeons themselves.  

When the pandemic hit the world in 2020, CRNA became so much more than anesthesia administrators. They played a prominent role in critical life-saving management for Covid-19 patients.  

This article pays tribute to the original anesthesia experts on national CRNA week by looking into their heroic services, and why their lives need to be more secure from the hazards they face.

Safety Risks A CRNA Faces 

With the advancement in the anesthetic and surgical world, the duties of CRNAs have become more tedious and intricate. These everyday saviors put their own lives at the backend just to be fully available to their patients in every possible way.

Amidst their hectic schedule, they encounter situations where their personal safety is at stake or a point of concern. Here is a list of a few health hazards linked with CRNA practice.

Injuries

A CRNA dodges the risk of so many potential injuries in a single day of work. From prick of needles to collision with types of equipment, accidental incisions, or accidental slips and falls. The damage can take several forms, including punctures, abrasions, shearing, fractures, and crushing. 

On these disastrous occasions, the only help that is available may be as basic as pressing a button on a personal safety device, yet it is still the most effective help that anyone can ask for.

Personal Wellness

Long working hours can bring a toll on anyone’s life. Stress, burnout, and addiction can work havoc on the personal well-being of a CRNA. Research shows that in developed countries like the US, cases of alcohol or drug abuse are estimated at 1 in 10 CRNAs. 

So a CRNA also faces mental wellness problems because of the multiple factors mentioned above. Easy access to psychoactive drugs and sedatives and other pressures can be fatal for the anesthetist and the patient.

Fire And Explosion Risks

Risks of fire and explosion in operating rooms can result in serious burn injuries as well as pulmonary tissue trauma from inhalation. This is due to the presence of combustible materials, oxygen-rich air, and ignition sources like diathermy and lasers in the operation theaters.

Even if a CRNA is not at the scene of the explosion, with the aid of a safety device they can notify the hospital community of the accident and can get immediate help. 

Hazardous Medicinal Exposure

CRNAs (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists) may face hazardous exposure to gasses during their work, such as anesthesia gases and nitrous oxide. These gasses can have various effects on the body, including respiratory depression, neurotoxicity, and reproductive and developmental toxicity.

In case of no proper ventilation or any other unfortunate event, such exposure can result in fatalities. If only in such situations they can get help within seconds, many lives can be saved. This is why CRNAs need a safety device.

Implementing Safety Alerts in CRNA Practice

Importance of Safety Alert Systems

A safety alert system can play a crucial role in safeguarding CRNAs from various hazards. These systems can quickly notify the relevant parties during emergencies, ensuring that help is dispatched promptly. In high-risk environments like hospitals, having a robust safety alert system is non-negotiable.

Personal Alert Safety System

A personal alert safety system (PASS) is another layer of protection that CRNAs should consider. This system is designed to alert others when the user is in distress. PASS devices can be worn or carried, making them ideal for CRNAs who are always on the move. Here’s how a personal alert safety system can benefit CRNAs:

• Rapid Response: In case of an emergency, the PASS device sends out an alert to designated contacts, ensuring quick assistance.
• Location Tracking: Many PASS devices come with GPS tracking, which can be crucial in locating a CRNA in distress, especially in large hospital environments.
• Multiple Alerts: These systems can send alerts in various forms such as text messages, emails, and push notifications, ensuring that the alert is received promptly.

How Can A CRNA Combat Safety Hazards Every day? 

Following The Safety Protocols 

CRNAs are a major part of health care and they are trained to save lives. At the same time, they are educated that safety begins at home. That is why following safety protocols is a must for them. Some of these include:

• Using Proper Protective Equipment (PPE) and adhering to correct hand hygiene practices for preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
• CRNAs should be familiar with the proper handling and disposal of hazardous materials, such as anesthetic gases, and take all necessary precautions to minimize exposure.
• All equipment used in the administration of anesthesia should be properly maintained and in good working order. Any equipment malfunctions or defects should be reported to the appropriate person.

Get A Personal Safety Device

Evolving tech has influenced almost every aspect of our lives. One thing that it has definitely hit home is enhanced safety for community workers like CRNAs, police officers, and more. 

Here are a number of ways how a safety device can help CRNA combat everyday safety hazards:

• With the emergence of personal safety devices, emergency response time has elevated. The panic button can send signals to the emergency centers within seconds.
• A personal safety device can share the GPS location of a CRNA especially when they work in rural US hospitals or get accidentally locked up in any treatment room in the hospital.
• A personal safety device is connected to the CRNA’s mobile and can send out alerts in various forms like emails, text messages, or push notifications on their set contacts.
• A CRNA works long duty hours. These personal safety devices are the best way to let their loved ones back home be notified about their safety with a simple click.
• A personal safety device can come in handy in reporting, viewing, and navigating any hazardous situation in the surroundings to fellow staff or the hospital community.

Final Thoughts

Personal safety devices are an additional layer of protection that can help keep the CRNA community safe in high-risk environments. These devices can be worn or carried by individual nurses to protect themselves from the everyday risks they put their lives in.

Silent beacon’s panic button is a revolutionary personal safety device to provide the support an individual needs in unfortunate times. Panic Button offers simple functions yet brilliant results by pairing up the small device with your phone via Bluetooth. 

With just one button, your call for help can reach the emergency centers like 911 and all your desired contacts. With the Panic button, you are in safe hands as this will be the personal safety guard that you always wanted.

By integrating safety alert systems and personal alert safety systems into their daily routines, CRNAs can significantly reduce the risks associated with their profession. These technologies not only provide immediate assistance but also offer peace of mind, knowing that help is just a button away.

Stay safe, stay vigilant, and always have your safety alert and personal alert safety system ready.