Statements and Practice Parameters

ASA supports anesthesiologists and care team members with Standards, Practice Guidelines, Practice Advisories, Statements, Expert Consensus Documents, and Resources from ASA Committees. Click the icon next to each heading for more information about each.

Practice Advisories & Alerts

• Perioperative Management of Patients with Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices (published February 2020)
• Perioperative Visual Loss Associated with Spine Surgery (published February 2019)
• Prevention of Perioperative Peripheral Neuropathies (published January 2018)
• Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Infectious Complications Associated with Neuraxial Techniques (published April 2017)
• Anesthetic Care Related to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (published March 2015)
• Prevention and Management of Operating Room Fires (published February 2013)
• Preanesthesia Evaluation (published March 2012)
• Perioperative Management of Patients with Coronary Artery Stents (published January 2009)
• Intraoperative Awareness and Brain Function Monitoring (published April 2006)

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Statements

• Statement on Practice Parameters
• Statement on Pregnancy Testing Prior to Anesthesia and Surgery
• Statement on Reducing Maternal Peripartum Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Anesthesia Care
• Statement on 21st Century Cures Act Final Rule Information Blocking Compliance (New! October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Access to Pain Care
• Statement on Burnout 
• Statement on Creating a Culture of Well-Being for Health Care Workers
• Statement on Deactivating Central Piped Nitrous Oxide to Mitigate Avoidable Health Care Pollution (New! October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Harassment, Incivility, and Disrespect (New! October 23, 2024) 
• Statement on Labeling of Pharmaceuticals for Use in Anesthesiology
• Statement on Lactation Among Anesthesia Clinicians 
• Statement on Post-Dural Puncture Headache Management
• Statement on Principles Trauma Anesthesiology
• Statement on Administration of Medications
• Statement on Anesthesia Support of Postpartum Sterilization (New! October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Anesthesiologist Head Injuries in Anesthetizing Locations (New! October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Anesthesiologists' Role in Reducing Maternal Mortality and Severe Maternal Morbidity
• Statement on Compensation Equity Among Anesthesiologists (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Security of Medications in the Operating Room
• Statement on Students Involved in Anesthesia Care 
• Statement on Substance Use Disorder
• Statement on Support for Respiratory Therapists (RTs)
• Statement on Anesthetic Care during Interventional Pain Procedures for Adults 
• Statement on Comparing Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant and Certified Nurse Anesthetist Education and Practice 
• Statement on Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs): Description and Practice
• Statement on Clinical Privileges for the Non-Physician Anesthesia Practitioner
• Statement on Conflict of Interest
• Statement on Controlled Organ Donation After Circulatory Death 
• Statement on Criminalization of Medical Errors 
• Statement on Distractions
• Statement on Distinguishing Monitored Anesthesia Care ("MAC") from Moderate Sedation/Analgesia (Conscious Sedation)
• Statement on Documentation of Anesthesia Care 
• Statement on Drug Concentration Standardization (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Economic Credentialing and Contracting (Amended October 23, 2024) 
• Statement on Fatigue
• Statement on Fundamentals of a Safe and Healthy Workplace for Anesthesiologists 
• Statement on Granting Privileges for Administration of Moderate Sedation to Practitioners Who are Not Anesthesia Professionals
• Statement on Granting Privileges for Deep Sedation to Non Anesthesiologist Physicians
• Statement on Intravascular Catheterization Procedures
• Statement on Intravenous (IV) Fluid Bag Spiking 
• Statement on Ketamine for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
• Statement on Neuraxial Medication Shortage and Alternatives 
• Statement on Neurologic Complications of Neuraxial Analgesia/Anesthesia in Obstetrics 
• Statement on Nonoperating Room Anesthesia Services 
• Statement on Oral Intake During Labor
• Statement on Outcome Indicators for Office-Based Anesthesia and Ambulatory Surgery
• Statement on Pain During Cesarean Delivery 
• Statement on Palliative Care 
• Statement on Peer Support after Unexpected Outcomes: Treatment of the "Second Victim"
• Statement on Personal Leave 
• Statement on Physician-Led Anesthesia Care
• Statement on Physician Nonparticipation in Legally Authorized Executions
• Statement on Practice of Pain Medicine
• Statement on Practice Recommendations for Pediatric Anesthesia 
• Statement on Principles for Alarm Management for Anesthesia Professionals 
• Statement on Professionalism (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Providing Psychological Support for Obstetric Patients (New! October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Qualifications of Anesthesia Providers in the Office Based Setting (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Quality Metrics
• Statement on Recommendations for Safe Injection Practices
• Statement on Regional Anesthesia
• Statement on Reporting Postoperative Pain Procedures in Conjunction with Anesthesia
• Statement on Respiratory Monitoring During Endoscopic Procedures (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Resuming Breastfeeding after Anesthesia (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Safe Use of Propofol (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Safety Culture 
• Statement on Sedation and Anesthesia Administration in Dental Office Based Settings 
• Statement on Smoking Cessation 
• Statement on Standard Practice for Avoidance of Medication Errors in Neuraxial Anesthesia
• Statement on Support of In Vitro Fertilization (New! October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Surgical Attire
• Statement on Title Misappropriation (New! October 23, 2024)
• Statement on the Aging Anesthesiologist 
• Statement on the Anesthesia Care Team
• Statement on the Ethical Considerations with Drug Shortages
• Statement on the Interoperability of Medical Devices 
• Statement on the Practice of Pediatric Pain Medicine 
• Statement on the Regulation of the Practice of Medicine by Third-Party Payors 
• Statement on the Role of Anesthesiologists in the Practice of Adult Critical Care Medicine 
• Statement on the Role of Registered Nurses in the Management of Continuous Regional Analgesia
• Statement on the Use of Adjuvant Medications and Management of Intraoperative Pain During Cesarean Delivery (New! October 23, 2024)
• Statement on the Use of Low Gas Flows for Sevoflurane 
• Statement on Transesophageal Echocardiography 
• Statement on Respiratory Care Practitioner Credentialing
• Statement on the Medical Necessity of Anesthesiology Services

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Expert Consensus Documents

• Statement on ASA Physical Status Classification System
• Statement on Continuum of Depth of Sedation: Definition of General Anesthesia and Levels of Sedation/Analgesia (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Definition of "Immediately Available" When Medically Directing (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Ethical Guidelines for the Anesthesia Care of Patients with Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders
• Statement on Ambulatory Anesthesia and Surgery 
• Statement on Delineation of Clinical Privileges in Anesthesiology
• Statement on Director of Liver Transplant Anesthesia (Reaffirmed October 23, 2024)
• Guidelines for the Ethical Practice of Anesthesiology
• Statement on Expert Witness Qualifications and Testimony
• Statement on Increasing Relevancy and Sustainability of Anesthesiology Critical Care: An Expert Consensus
• Statement on Minimally Acceptable Continuing Medical Education in Anesthesiology
• Statement on Office-Based Anesthesia (Amended October 23, 2024)
• Statement on Neuraxial Analgesia or Anesthesia in Obstetrics 
• Statement on Patient Care in Anesthesiology
• Statement on the Management of Performance Measures by the American Society of Anesthesiologists
• Statement on Nonobstetric Surgery During Pregnancy
• Statement on Optimal Goals for Anesthesia Care in Obstetrics
• Statement on Principles for Quality Incentive Programs in Anesthesiology

Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

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COVID-19 Position Statements and Guidance

Find ASA COVID-19 statements, recommendations and resources in response to the pandemic.

Resources from Committees

See all Resources from ASA Committees ›

Date of last update: November 19, 2024

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