Nurse anesthesia practice and research--a worldwide need.

In 1992, nurse anesthetists from 94 countries participated in our transnational research by completing surveys (in English, French, German, or Spanish) and providing descriptions about their practice, education, and regulation. Five years later (1997), nurse anesthetists from 81 countries completed expanded and revised questionnaires. Their responses validated the 1992 findings that nurses may be the main administerers of anesthesia in many countries. They are administering both general and regional anesthesia, in rural and urban areas in all regions of the world, and in countries from all levels of development, working with and without anesthesiologists. Their major duties are primarily those that are performed inside operating rooms, a factor that may be contributing to a lack of visibility of the profession. In order to contribute to both clinical and health policy decision making, nurse anesthetists must first document their practice and then participate in collaborative research at the local, regional, national, and international levels.