As the shift to outpatient care accelerates across healthcare, many specialties, including anesthesia, are adapting to new models of care. Yet despite the clinical and lifestyle benefits of outpatient anesthesia, some leaders say the migration hasn’t reached its full potential.
Allyn Wilcock, CRNA, owner of Snoqualmie, Wash.-based Advanced Anesthesia Services and Northwest Healing and Wellness, joined Becker’s to discuss why more anesthesia providers aren’t making the move, and what’s standing in the way.
Question: Are you seeing more anesthesia providers interested in outpatient settings?
Allyn Wilcock: Yes, especially among younger providers who want more flexibility — no calls, no nights or weekends. Outpatient settings work well for that. Even older anesthesiologists and CRNAs nearing retirement see it as a great way to stay productive without burning out.
But I wish there was more of a shift. We have a great setting, and it’s about getting the word out. At least in our town, there isn’t as much interest as I’d like.
Q: What do you think the barriers are?
AW: The biggest challenge is being fully independent. Some new staff are uncomfortable without all the hospital resources and backup. They’re used to ordering lots of tests and having more data to make decisions. We don’t have that luxury, and that makes some folks uneasy. That’s probably the biggest barrier to people feeling comfortable in outpatient work.
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