Medical Center to observe nurse anesthetists week Jan. 19-25 Published Jan. 15, 2014 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler Medical Center's Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) observe National Nurse Anesthetists Week Jan. 19-25. This year's theme is "Our Priority, Our Passion, Our Patients." The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) noted, "From the front lines to the VA hospitals, nurse anesthetists have proudly and courageously provided anesthesia care to enlisted men and women, officers and veterans in all branches of the military, from World War I to the present." CRNA Col. Kathryn Weiss, 81st Surgical Operations Squadron master clinician, provided background on the profession. "CRNAs are advanced practice registered nurses who specialize in anesthesia care and safely administer more than 32 million anesthetics to patients each year in the United States," she said. "CRNAs practice in every setting in which anesthesia care is delivered: hospitals, obstetrical delivery rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, doctor's offices and pain management." Additionally, CRNAs are essential to America's health-care system, providing high-quality, cost-effective anesthesia care for 150 years who safely administer more than 34 million anesthetics to patients each year, she added. "CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural America, enabling healthcare facilities in these medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, and trauma stabilization services. In some states, CRNAs are the sole providers in nearly 100 percent of the rural hospitals." For more information on nurse anesthesia, check out www.aana.com.