News - Local
Colorado medical groups sue over anesthesia change
Posted: Sep 29, 2010 8:58 AM by Bea Karnes, News First 5
Doctors are trying to stop a new state policy allowing advanced-practice nurses to administer anesthesia without a doctor's supervision.
The Colorado Society of Anesthesiologists and the Colorado Medical Society filed a lawsuit challenging the change Tuesday, a day after Gov. Bill Ritter approved it.
Ritter said the move is aimed at helping rural hospitals that don't have anesthesiologists on staff. Fifteen other states have also adopted the policy.
The Denver Post reports that the medical society says the change could create confusion over who is ultimately responsible for patients.
State law says that doctors performing operations are liable for the actions of anyone in the operating room.
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