Amend regulations for administration of anesthesia in office-based settings to require a registered nurse, qualified by education and experience in perioperative nursing, to be present as the circulating nurse to be present during the procedure.

At its meeting on July 14, 2005, the Board decided to extend the comment period on the petition until August 22, 2005. The Board will act on the petition request at its meeting on September 16, 2005.

The Board received comment indicating that such a requirement would be very burdensome and costly without sufficient evidence to indicate that it is necessary for patient safety in office-based settings. In addition, the Board has adopted regulations for office-based anesthesia which addressed concerns about safety.