The Business of Anesthesia: Thriving in a Shifting Anesthesia Landscape
In today’s rapidly evolving anesthesia landscape, understanding the business side of practice is more critical than ever. This workshop explores the current market dynamics of anesthesia, including the impact of workforce shortages and rising demand. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, participants will gain insight into income generation through billing and subsidies, and how these factors shape the future of the profession. Topics include business entity selection, 1099 vs W2 employment models, liability insurance, contract negotiation strategies, and interpreting explanation of benefits (EOBs). This session offers a comprehensive overview of the anesthesia business environment and equips providers with the knowledge to navigate and thrive in it.
Objectives:
Define various business entity types and determine which best suits their practice model.
Identify the essential steps to establish a business in anesthesia.
Discuss billing and reimbursement processes specific to anesthesia services.
Interpret explanation of benefits (EOBs) and their relevance to clinical practice.
Compare 1099 and W2 employment structures and their implications.
Analyze current trends in the anesthesia marketplace and their professional impact.
Monday, November 30, 2026
Time
Event Information
6:15 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors & Welcome Desk
7:00 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks Michael Fallacaro, PhD, CRNA
7:15 am
AANA President Update – 1 CE Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA
Objective: Explore key issues shaping nurse anesthesiology in 2026.
8:15 am
Tactical Decision-Making in Anesthesia Practice – 1 CE Michael Fallacaro, PhD, CRNA
Objective: Define tactical awareness in clinical anesthesia practice and explain how it builds upon traditional situational awareness concepts.
9:15 am
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
9:30 am
Management of the Obese Pediatric Patient – 1 CE Hernando DeSoto, MD
Objective: Discuss some of the major anesthesia challenges that the obese and morbidly obese child present for anesthesia providers.
10:30 am
The A,B,Cs (Cellphone) Distractions in the Operating Room: Are you and your patients at risk?– 1 CE Hernando DeSoto, MD
Objective: Discuss several activities that go on daily in operating rooms that can affect patient care and present a problem for you legally.
11:30 am
Conversations with the Current and Past AANA Presidents – 1 CE Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA Janet Setnor, MSN, CRNA, Col. (Ret), USAFR, NC Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objective: Discuss current regulatory, legislative, and professional issues impacting anesthesia practice and the CRNA profession.
12:30 pm
Scientific Poster Review - 1 CE (Formal time for virtual assessment)
8:30 - 10:00 pm
NAFA VCU 'Luminous' Dessert Reception at EPCOT Advanced registration required - separate fee
Meet us at the Terrace des Fleurs, nestled between the France Pavilion and the picturesque World Showcase Lagoon. The Luminous: The Symphony of Us show includes fireworks, fountains, music and lights set to an original composition with selections from the Disney songbook.
The reception includes Disney signature desserts, coffee, tea, lemonade and bar service for 1 hour prior to the ‘Luminous’ show in our exclusive viewing area.
Note: Please be sure to wear your reception wristband for entry into the viewing area. The fireworks show may be cancelled and the reception venue may change due to inclement weather.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Time
Event Information
6:15 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors & Welcome Desk
7:00 am
Hot Topics in Anesthesia Reimbursements – 1 CE Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA
Objective: Identify key regulatory and payer updates driving changes in anesthesia reimbursement.
8:00 am
Anesthesia Workforce Trends – 1 CE Tracy Young, MSNA, MBA, CRNA
Objectives: 1. Apply current evidence to guide regional anesthesia technique selection 2. Evaluate the impact of regional anesthesia on perioperative outcomes and quality of care
8:00 am
From Concept to Care: Implementing an Acute Pain Service – 1 CE Jamie Furstein, PhD, DNAP, CRNA, CPNP-AC, FAANA
Objectives: 1. Describe the core components of an effective acute pain service 2. Develop a structured plan to implement an acute pain service at their institution
9:00 am
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
9:15 am
Nurturing Our Next Generation: Cultivating the Preceptor-Student Relationship– 1CE Crystal Hunnicutt, DNAP, CRNA, APRN, CNE, CHSE, CWP
Objectives:
Identify commonly used herbal supplements and their potential interactions with anesthetic agents and perioperative medications.
Apply evidence-based recommendations for managing patients taking herbal medications during the perioperative period.
10:15 am
Herbal Supplements in the Perioperative Patient: Implications for Anesthesia Practice – 1 CE Crystal Hunnicutt, DNAP, CRNA, APRN, CNE, CHSE, CWP
Objectives:
Identify commonly used herbal supplements and their potential interactions with anesthetic agents and perioperative medications.
Apply evidence-based recommendations for managing patients taking herbal medications during the perioperative period.
11:15 am
Facilitated Discussion: Key Lessons, Challenges, and Takeaways – 1 CE Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objective: Summarize key lessons, challenges, and practical takeaways from the day’s educational content.
12:15 pm
Dessert Treats with Exhibitors Finalize your Exhibitor Passport – Drawing Thursday morning (must be present to win)
Thursday, December 3, 2026
Time
Event Information
6:15 am
Breakfast with Exhibitors & Welcome Desk
7:00 am
Pharmacology on Bypass: Anesthetic Drug Disposition During CPB and ECMO – 1 CE Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objective: Explain how CPB and ECMO can alter the distribution, sequestration, clearance, and clinical effect of selected anesthetic drugs and adjunct medications relevant to perioperative care.
8:00 am
Crisis Resource Management in High-Stakes Care – 1 CE Rebekah Carmel, PhD, CRNA
Objectives:
Discuss core principles of crisis resource management, including situational awareness, closed-loop communication, role allocation, and cognitive load management, as they apply to anesthesia and perfusion teams.
Identify strategies to improve team performance and reduce error during rapidly evolving intraoperative and cardiovascular crises.
9:30 am
Refreshment Break with Exhibitors
9:45 am
Lessons From the Edge: Interprofessional Crisis Case Presentations – 1 CE Rebekah Carmel, PhD, CRNA and Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA
Objectives:
Analyze key clinical, communication, and systems factors that influence the management of complex crises involving anesthesia and perfusion teams.
Apply lessons learned from interprofessional case review to improve recognition, response, and coordination during future high-risk events.
11:15 am
Facilitated Discussion: Key Lessons, Challenges, and Takeaways – 1 CE Nicole Damico, PhD, CRNA, CHSE, FAANA, Rebekah Carmel, PhD, CRNA, and Keith Pelletier, PhD, MBA, MHS, CCP
Objective: Summarize key lessons, challenges, and practical takeaways from the day’s educational content.