Ohio will move from a physician supervision model to a collaborative care model for certified registered nurse anesthetists under House Bill 52, which took effect June 9, NBC affiliate WKYC reported June 10.
The law allows physicians, dentists and podiatrists to serve as collaborating providers for CRNAs, replacing decades-old regulations that required direct physician supervision.
The Ohio State Association of Nurse Anesthetists backed the legislation, arguing it modernizes state law to align with current clinical practice, according to the report. Advocates also contend the shift could ease anesthesia-provider shortages in rural and underserved communities.
More than 20 states have moved to opt-out or collaboration-based models in recent years, with many citing improved access to care and no measurable decline in patient safety outcomes.