Date of Hearing: February 11, 2019

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON RULES

Ken Cooley, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SCR 4

Author:(Glazer) – As Introduced Ver:January 10, 2019

SENATE VOTE: 33-0

SUBJECT: Physician Anesthesiologist Week.

SUMMARY: Designates the week of January 27, 2019, to February 2, 2019, inclusive, as Physician Anesthesiologist Week. Specifically, this resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Annually in the United States, more than 100 million operations and procedures are performed with anesthesia, and physician anesthesiologists play a critical role in a patient's well-being before, during, and after surgical procedures and make patient safety their top priority.
2. 2)Physician Anesthesiologists have the highest levels of training and must complete between 12,000 and 16,000 hours of training prior to practicing independently; and, their duties include evaluating a patient's current health prior to receiving anesthesia to ensure the best outcome, administering anesthesia, monitoring the patient during surgery, and assessing the patient after the procedure is completed.

3) The American Society of Anesthesiologists has identified as an innovative model in patient care where the physician anesthesiologist directs the anesthesia care team to provide support to the patient throughout all aspects of surgical care and procedures.

4) Anesthesia is safer than ever before, yet there remains potential for complications and side effects during procedures, and physician anesthesiologists have the training and expertise to help minimize these risks, monitor for any problems, and take quick action.

5) The California Society of Anesthesiologists is a physician organization with over 3,000 members dedicated to promoting the highest standards of the profession of anesthesiology, fostering excellence through continuing medical education, and serving as an advocate for anesthesiologists and their patients.

FISCAL EFFECT: None

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Nicole Willis / RLS. / (916) 319-2800

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SCR 4

Author: Glazer (D)

Introduced: 1/10/19

Vote: 21

SUBJECT: Physician Anesthesiologist Week

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution designates the week of January 27, 2019, to February 2, 2019, inclusive, as Physician Anesthesiologist Week.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Annually in the United States, more than 100 million operations and procedures are performed with anesthesia, and physician anesthesiologists play a critical role in a patient’s well-being before, during, and after surgical procedures and make patient safety their top priority.
2. A physician anesthesiologist’s duties include evaluating a patient’s current health prior to receiving anesthesia to ensure the best outcome, administering anesthesia, monitoring the patient during surgery, and assessing the patient after the procedure is completed.
3. The American Medical Association completed a public opinion survey that concluded 70 percent of patients want a physician to administer and monitor anesthesia levels.
4. Anesthesia is safer than ever before, yet there remains potential for complications and side effects during procedures, and physician anesthesiologists have the training and expertise to help minimize these risks, monitor for any problems, and take quick action.
5. During surgeries or procedures, when seconds count, physician anesthesiologists have the highest degree of training to respond to emergencies and ensure the best patient outcomes.

This resolution designates the week of January 27, 2019, to February 2, 2019, inclusive, as Physician Anesthesiologist Week.

Related/Prior Legislation

ACR 160 (Baker, Resolution Chapter 15, Statutes of 2018) designated the week of January 28, 2018, to February 3, 2018, inclusive, as Physician Anesthesiologist Week.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 1/23/19)

California Society of Anesthesiologists

OPPOSITION: (Verified 1/23/19)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The author states, “Most of us have had the experience of going through minor surgery or a major medical procedure that requires anesthesia. It can be unnerving, and for some, frightening when the mask comes over your face and you start drifting into a deep sleep. But in California at least, it’s comforting to know that the high standards of the profession and our own regulatory system make anesthesia safer than ever before.

“Rigorous standards of health and safety are the hallmark of the services offered by physician anesthesiologists, who must complete between 12,000 and 16,000 hours of training prior to practicing independently.

“While there’s always the risk that complications will arise during a procedure, patients should rest assured that their health and safety are in good hands: physician anesthesiologists have the training and expertise to help minimize these risks and respond to emergencies.

“This is why I’m proud to designate the week of January 27, 2019, to February 2, 2019, as Physician Anesthesiologist Week.”

Prepared by: Melissa Ward / SFA / (916) 651-1520

1/25/19 10:52:06

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