What is the practice statement of the WAAA?
The Wisconsin Academy of Anesthesiologist Assistants (WAAA) subscribes in practice, philosophy and training to the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT). The foundation of the ACT model is grounded in a team approach to anesthesia management in which an anesthesiologist concurrently supervises anesthetists during the performance of the technical aspects of an anesthetic. Within the Anesthesia Care Team, an anesthesiologist and AA work together to provide anesthesia care in the belief that the interests of patient safety are best served with an anesthesiologist’s involvement in the delivery of every anesthetic. The responsibility for medical direction lies with the anesthesiologist, who may then delegate aspects related to the implementation of an anesthetic plan to the AA. Delegation of any aspect of patient care to an AA is at the discretion of the anesthesiologist, in accordance with established state regulation and local credentialing guidelines.
