Positive cases of COVID-19 in some of the state’s urban centers are now spilling over into Texas’ rural communities. These are communities where resources and health care services are scarce.

The Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (TxANA) notes that rural hospitals have often relied on CRNAs to serve as their facility’s sole provider of anesthesia care, and during the state’s temporary ban on elective surgeries, many of these same CRNAs also stepped up to assume different roles.

CRNAs are uniquely equipped to manage the significant respiratory issues that manifest in severe COVID-19 cases. They also have a specialized skillset of particular value under these extreme circumstances.

Andrea Malcolm, a CRNA and TxANA member, was once the sole provider of anesthesia care at her rural facility. Malcolm now educates other health care professionals on how to operate a ventilator, tracks down available critical care supplies and readies the facility for a possible surge of COVID-19 patients.

TxANA thanks its members who are serving on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic wherever they may be located.

We also ask that all Texans do all they can to stay healthy and safe during this time.