448.22 Anesthesiologist assistants.

(1) In this section, “supervision" means the use of the powers of direction and decision to coordinate, direct, and inspect the accomplishments of another, and to oversee the implementation of the anesthesiologist's intentions.

(2) An anesthesiologist assistant may assist an anesthesiologist in the delivery of medical care only under the supervision of an anesthesiologist and only as described in a supervision agreement between the anesthesiologist assistant and an anesthesiologist who represents the anesthesiologist assistant's employer. The supervising anesthesiologist shall be immediately available in the same physical location or facility in which the anesthesiologist assistant assists in the delivery of medical care such that the supervising anesthesiologist is able to intervene if needed.

(3) A supervision agreement under sub. (2) shall do all of the following:

(a) Describe the supervising anesthesiologist.

(b) Define the practice of the anesthesiologist assistant consistent with subs. (2), (4), and (5).

(4) An anesthesiologist assistant's practice may not exceed his or her education and training, the scope of practice of the supervising anesthesiologist, and the practice outlined in the anesthesiologist assistant supervision agreement. A medical care task assigned by the supervising anesthesiologist to the anesthesiologist assistant may not be delegated by the anesthesiologist assistant to another person.

(5) An anesthesiologist assistant may assist only the supervising anesthesiologist in the delivery of medical care and may perform only the following medical care tasks as assigned by the supervising anesthesiologist:

(a) Developing and implementing an anesthesia care plan for a patient.

(b) Obtaining a comprehensive patient history and performing relevant elements of a physical exam.

(c) Pretesting and calibrating anesthesia delivery systems and obtaining and interpreting information from the systems and from monitors.

(d) Implementing medically accepted monitoring techniques.

(e) Establishing basic and advanced airway interventions, including intubation of the trachea and performing ventilatory support.

(f) Administering intermittent vasoactive drugs and starting and adjusting vasoactive infusions.

(g) Administering anesthetic drugs, adjuvant drugs, and accessory drugs.

(h) Implementing spinal, epidural, and regional anesthetic procedures.

(i) Administering blood, blood products, and supportive fluids.

(j) Assisting a cardiopulmonary resuscitation team in response to a life threatening situation.

(k) Participating in administrative, research, and clinical teaching activities specified in the supervision agreement.

(L) Supervising student anesthesiologist assistants.

(6) An anesthesiologist who represents an anesthesiologist assistant's employer shall review a supervision agreement with the anesthesiologist assistant at least annually. The supervision agreement shall be available for inspection at the location where the anesthesiologist assistant practices. The supervision agreement may limit the practice of an anesthesiologist assistant to less than the full scope of practice authorized under sub. (5).

(7) An anesthesiologist assistant shall be employed by a health care provider, as defined in s. 655.001 (8), that is operated in this state for the primary purpose of providing the medical services of physicians or that is an entity described in s. 655.002 (1) (g), (h), or (i). If an anesthesiologist assistant's employer is not an anesthesiologist, the employer shall provide for, and not interfere with, an anesthesiologist's supervision of the anesthesiologist assistant.

(8) A student in an anesthesiologist assistant training program may assist only an anesthesiologist in the delivery of medical care and may perform only medical care tasks assigned by the anesthesiologist. An anesthesiologist may delegate the supervision of a student in an anesthesiologist assistant training program to only a qualified anesthesiologist, an anesthesiology fellow, an anesthesiology resident who has completed his or her first year of residency, or an anesthesiologist assistant, but in no case may an anesthesiologist concurrently supervise, either directly or as a delegated act, more than 2 students in training to be an anesthesiologist assistant. This section shall not be interpreted to limit the number of other qualified anesthesia providers an anesthesiologist may supervise. A student in an anesthesiologist assistant training program shall be identified as a student anesthesiologist assistant or an anesthesiologist assistant student and may not be identified as an “intern," “resident," or “fellow."

History: 2011 a. 160.