But given that most patients, especially those with low risk operations, fly through anesthesia without any complications, nurse anesthetists are able to handle most of the care without a hitch.

FORBES: Solving the Primary Care Physician Shortage by Turning PCPs into Anesthesiologists

In many operating rooms today, the majority of anesthesia will be handled by a nurse anesthetist, under the supervision of an anesthesiologist.

FORBES: Solving the Primary Care Physician Shortage by Turning PCPs into Anesthesiologists

If the monitor showed the prisoner becoming conscious, the doctor or nurse were supposed to tell prison officials to increase the anesthesia.

NPR: Brain Waves Monitored During N.C. Lethal Injection