What does vicarious liability mean in a CRNA practice setting?

• A. The CRNA has full liability independent of supervisor
• B. Supervising physician is ultimately responsible for negligent acts by CRNA
• C. The hospital bears no liability
• D. The patient is liable for own actions

Answer: (B)

Vicarious liability means the supervising physician (or employer) is legally responsible for the negligent acts of the CRNA when those acts occur within the scope of supervision. This stems from the idea of respondeat superior, where those in supervisory or employer roles bear accountability for the actions of their affiliated practitioners who are acting on their behalf. In a CRNA practice setting, this means the supervising physician is ultimately responsible for negligent acts by the CRNA, even though the CRNA may also have individual liability. The other options don’t fit because the CRNA isn’t wholly independent of supervision, the hospital/employer can share liability in the supervision dynamic, and the patient isn’t liable for the CRNA’s acts.