SECTION 435:65-7-1. Supervision

(a)   An anesthesiologist assistant may only perform medical services under the direct supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist.

(1)   Direct supervision requires at all times a continuing and close supervisory relationship between the anesthesiology assistant and the supervising anesthesiologist.

(2)   Direct supervision and being immediately available does not necessarily require the continuous physical presence of the supervising anesthesiologist in the procedural room. The supervising anesthesiologist may cover cases in more than one procedural room, provided that the anesthesiologist remains readily available in the facility for immediate diagnosis and treatment of emergencies.

(3)   Direct supervision does not prohibit the supervising anesthesiologist from addressing a life-threatening emergency in another location in the facility or office.

(b)   Direct supervision requires the on-site, personal supervision by the supervising anesthesiologist who is at all instances immediately available to provide assistance and direction to the anesthesiologist assistant while anesthesia services are being performed.

(c)   A licensed anesthesiologist may supervise up to four (4) anesthesiologist assistants concurrently. The limitation on the number of anesthesiologist assistants that an anesthesiologist may supervise in no way restricts the number of other qualified anesthesia providers that an anesthesiologist may concurrently supervise.

[Source: Added at 27 Ok Reg 859, eff 4-25-10]