Contract Anesthesia: The Good News and the Challenge

The dramatic pace of change in health care is intimidating, and results can be unpredictable and often negative. The practice of contract anesthesia delivery is an excellent example of how a clinical microsystem interacts with the constant change common in today's health care environment. This article identifies many of the issues of concern in contract anesthesia. Awareness of issues will afford nurses, nurse anesthetists, and managers a structure for a smooth, safe, and effective transition of contracting providers.