OFFICE-BASED ANESTHESIA FOR ARIZONA DENTISTS
Phoenix is regularly listed at the top of any “fastest growing cities in the United States” list. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Arizona was the second-fastest growing state in the country.
As a healthcare provider in Arizona, you have the unique privilege of serving a growing market with diverse needs. You get to see something new just about every day, and so that means you have to stay on top of every tool, resource, and technique that will improve patient outcomes.
That’s why every dentist and surgeon who primarily treats patients in an office setting needs to know about office-based anesthesia (OBA). With OBA, you can perform several types of surgical procedures in the comfort of your own office. You will be able to complete more cases and improve productivity while minimizing waiting lists for your patients.
Keep reading to get answers to the following questions:
What are Arizona’s requirements for an office to be able to start administering general anesthesia or deep sedation?
How can Elite Anesthesia help me get all of the necessary certifications, permits, and inspections?
*Note: You can always get more detailed answers to your questions by contacting us directly. Let us know you’re in Arizona and we’ll tell you exactly what you need – and how we can help – to get ready to start using OBA at your office.
ARIZONA’S REQUIREMENTS FOR DENTAL OFFICES AND GENERAL ANESTHESIA
If you are a dentist, you will need a Section 1304 permit issued by the State Dental Board:
A dentist may utilize a physician anesthesiologist or certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) for anesthesia or sedation services while the dentist provides treatment in the dentist's office or dental clinic after obtaining a Section 1304 permit issued by the Board.
In order to obtain or renew a 1304 permit, you will need to submit a completed application on a form provided by the Board. Much of what you will need to do to complete the application is basic and straightforward. For instance, you will need to complete a form with general information about yourself, such as your name, address, phone number, and hospital affiliations.
With that said, there are two main requirements for your application that will require more effort:
1. ADVANCED CARDIAC LIFE SUPPORT (ACLS) CERTIFICATION
In order to get a 1304, you will need to provide confirmation that you completed coursework from the American Heart Association for ACLS in the last two years.
If you don’t have ACLS Certification, we can help. We will cover the cost (about $170) and will work with you to get your certification as quickly as possible.
2. ONSITE EVALUATION BY THE BOARD
After you submit your application, you will need to schedule an onsite evaluation by the Board. During the evaluation, you will need to administer general anesthesia or deep sedation in order to pass.
This is another area where Elite Anesthesia can make your life easier. We will be there in person for your inspection, and as soon as you pass, we can start scheduling cases.
Here is what you will be evaluated for:
The availability of properly operating anesthesia equipment and supplies, such as emergency drugs, an electrocardiograph monitor, and a pulse oximeter.
The availability of personnel capable of handling procedures, complications, and emergency incidents.
Proper administration of general anesthesia or deep sedation to a patient by the applicant in the presence of the evaluation team
Successful responses by the applicant to oral examination questions from the evaluation team about patient management, medical emergencies, and emergency medications
Proper documentation of controlled substances, that includes a perpetual inventory log showing the receipt, administration, dispensing, and destruction of controlled substances
Proper record keeping
As we mentioned earlier, Elite Anesthesia will be with you every step of the way to make sure you pass your inspection. You will have things like back-up suction, anesthesia records, emergency drugs, and controlled substance logs that the evaluators will need to see.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ELITE ANESTHESIA
Hopefully you already have a good understanding of where you can turn to us for help. Here’s a quick recap of what we’ve covered so far:
You can schedule your ACLS course with us, and we’ll cover the cost and help you get your certification as quickly as possible.
We’ll stay in constant contact with you as you prepare for your onsite evaluation to make sure you have everything you need to pass.
On the day of your onsite evaluation, we will be there in person with all of the necessary equipment and recordkeeping resources.
Keep this in mind – that’s just everything you’ll be getting from Elite Anesthesia before the real fun starts. Once you pass your inspection, you can start scheduling cases that will change your patients’ lives.
Some of the most important dental procedures can’t be performed while the patient is awake, and Elite Anesthesia uses a safe, innovative approach to airway management that is perfect for dentistry. For instance, we do nasal intubation, allowing you to freely work in the patient’s mouth.
Are you ready to go get your 1304 permit? If so, let’s talk. You are definitely capable of doing it all on your own, but we can make the process much smoother if you want some extra hands.
