This is not good news for the residents of Watertown, WI. Watertown Regional Medical Center(courtesy of the private equity-backed, contract medical group Envision) removed all of its anesthesiologists for a 100% CRNA model. In a nutshell, they replaced physicians with nurses.

2)They then have the audacity to declare that the "literature is clear" that the quality of care and outcomes "are just as good"...compared to whom Anesthesiologists? Yeah...No. To state that the 100% CRNA is a "common model" smacks of them trying to reassure somebody this is a

3)good move. It isn't. No anesthesiologist will be available to patients for emergencies that CRNAs are not trained to manage? The surgeons will now be the "Captains of the Ship"--liable for any mishaps by the CRNAs, despite the fact that they don't know jack about anesthesia

4)practice. I guarantee you, WRMC won't be indemnifying the surgeons-attorneys will have a field day. This attorney clearly understands there is a difference and he is at least educating the public about the appropriate questions to ask. Not WRMC. Nope. No https://painterfirm.com/a/1182/Did-you-know-that-your-anesthesia-doctor-may-not-have-gone-to-medical-school

5) information provided to the public about the distinct differences between the two disciplines. If people knew, they would raise holy hell and take their money elsewhere. And guess who may be the default should something go awry regarding the anesthesia and the surgeon contests

6)his/her accountability? Good ole' Dr. Odell, the regional director of anesthesia services for Envision who is not in Indiana. Very accommodating since all lawyers need is a name of a doc in anesthesia. The former CMO was an anesthesiologist. He was fired along with the

7)others. Probably because he was actually a good physician leader. Can't have that. The powers that be need a flunky. Take note that the letter is written by the CEO, not a CMO. This people, is the corporate practice of medicine. For those who don't know, it is illegal for a

8)corporation to engage in the practice of medicine. They get around that terrible inconvenience by using willing physicians within the CMG(in this case, Envision) who will permit their names and licenses to be used as a fake front for the business. You know, to appear as if they

9) are the ones actually making these asinine decisions. Every doc in America knows that the closest one can come to death is while they are under anesthesia. So it behooves everyone to have the ultimate experts, anesthesiologists, around just in case the worst happens. Just in

10)case. The WRMC CEO uses invalid studies as his gold standard that the quality of anesthesia services by CRNAs in his facility will be the best. You think if that CEO needs surgery at that facility he will use a CRNA? And the CRNAs will be available for the ICU and ED as well.

11) I'm an EM doc. We are trained in emergent airways. If I can't stabilize an airway, I want the anesthesiologist. Period. Will anyone tell the patients there will be no anesthesiologists so they know and have a choice to stay or go? Doubt it. It is all about the money. The

12) almighty dollar. It is beyond me to understand why the surgeons just don't walk out now that the liability is shifted to them. No surgeons, no business. Mo' money, mo' problems. @robertpainter @pppforpatients @ASALifeline @APSForg #anesthesiologists #patientsafetyinanesthesia