Gov. Beshear Exempts Nurse Anesthetists

Governor Steve Beshear is exempting nurse anesthetists from a federal requirement that they be supervised by a physician when administering anesthetics to patients. The move would allow hospitals and surgery centers in Kentucky to use non-physicians for the task. The Kentucky Hospital Association supports the change. The Kentucky Society of Anesthesiologists called on Beshear to reverse his decision because the group says it threatens the safety of patients.