What is an anesthesiology resident worth?

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To determine the cost of replacing an anesthesiology resident with a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) for equal operating room (OR) work.

DESIGN

Retrospective financial analysis.

SETTING

Academic anesthesiology department.

PARTICIPANTS

Clinical anesthesia (CA)-1 through CA-3 residents.

MEASUREMENTS

Cost of replacing anesthesiology residents with CRNAs for equal OR work was determined.

MAIN RESULTS

The cost of replacing one anesthesiology resident with a CRNA for the same number of OR hours ranged from $9,940.32 to $43,300 per month ($106,241.68 to $432,937.50 per yr). Numbers varied depending on the CRNA pay scale and whether the calculations were based on the number of OR hours worked at our residency program or OR hours worked in a maximum duty hour model.

CONCLUSIONS

A CRNA is paid substantially more per OR hour worked, at all pay levels, than an anesthesiology resident.