Burnout, aging workforce, and hospital contract priorities drive instability across IVF anesthesia coverage
17% of Providers Nearing Retirement Tighten Staffing for IVF Procedures
Outpatient fertility centers are emerging as early casualties in the anesthesia workforce crisis. More than 17% of anesthesia providers are approaching retirement, and over half are already 50 or older, according to Medscape’s 2024 Lifestyle & Burnout Report. Between 2021 and 2022 alone, 2,872 anesthesiologists left the field, citing high burnout rates and growing workloads.
Hospitals with greater resources are absorbing available talent, leaving fertility centers to compete for shrinking coverage. Procedures such as egg retrievals and TESEs—where timing is critical—are increasingly disrupted by cancellations or last-minute provider substitutions, adding pressure to patient schedules and operational workflows.
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Kaleidoscope Anesthesia’s CRNAs are known for clinical excellence, their calm bedside manner, and enhancing patient care experience. .
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We’ll show you how other fertility centers are improving patient experience, reducing doctor and staff burnout, reducing cancelations, and improving workflow.
8,450-Provider Shortfall Projected by 2037
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) forecasts a shortage of up to 8,450 anesthesiologists by 2037, while a Medicus Healthcare Solutions white paper estimates that nearly 30% will exit the field by 2033. Demand for surgical services is also expected to grow 2–3% per year, worsening access gaps.
For fertility practices, these numbers translate into operational volatility. Clinics without hospital affiliations often find themselves on standby, relying on temporary coverage from hospital-focused groups that rotate through outpatient centers. The resulting inconsistency disrupts preoperative screening and erodes patient trust—a growing concern as patient experience metrics take on greater importance in the sector.
Burnout and Rotation Models Undermine Patient Experience
The Medscape survey also found that more than 50% of anesthesiologists feel burnt out or depressed, contributing to widespread attrition. That fatigue reverberates through fertility teams that depend on stable anesthesia support to maintain procedural flow.
Frequent rotation of anesthesia groups has left some clinics operating with little continuity. Burnout and scheduling conflicts compound one another, leading to postponed procedures and uneven patient experiences. Clinics report that when anesthesia teams change weekly, communication lapses and inconsistent protocols can increase stress for both patients and staff.
CRNAs Offer Relief Amid Workforce Gaps
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are stepping into the gap as fertility clinics adapt. “There have been numerous studies showing that nurse anesthetists’ outcomes are the same as physician anesthesiologists. It’s already happening—CRNAs are already working independently,” said Melissa Picceri Croad, CRNA and government relations director for the Massachusetts Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
CRNAs trained in reproductive health bring procedural expertise and patient-focused bedside care suited to the emotional environment of fertility treatment. Clinics incorporating CRNAs have reported steadier anesthesia coverage, reduced cancellations, and more consistent patient satisfaction scores.
Networked Models Stabilize Coverage and Improve Morale
Agile anesthesia networks are emerging to address chronic staffing gaps. By disconnecting from hospital-based contracts, these national groups align specialized anesthesia providers with outpatient fertility centers. “All of our client experiences have been that the patient care experience has improved dramatically after changing over to Kaleidoscope Anesthesia. Better access to care, better patient care, increased staff, and physician satisfaction,” said David Mai, CEO of Kaleidoscope Anesthesia.
These models embed anesthesia professionals within fertility practices to ensure continuity and mitigate burnout on both sides of the care team. As retirements accelerate and hospital contracts dominate the remaining workforce, fertility networks are moving quickly to secure long-term, relationship-driven anesthesia partnerships—an increasingly vital step in keeping IVF operations on schedule and patient satisfaction high.
Improve Patient Experience. Reduce Doctor Burnout.
See Why Other Fertility Doctors Love These Anesthetists
Fertility doctors from across the country are getting support from this one anesthesia firm.
Fertility doctors across the US are using Kaleidoscope Anesthesia
Kaleidoscope Anesthesia’s CRNAs are known for clinical excellence, their calm bedside manner, and enhancing patient care experience. .
Avoid burnout by offloading this responsibility to professionals you trust.
Scalable, agile staffing, from daily coverage to full perioperative system design.
200+ seasoned CRNAs. Nationwide reach. Fast onboarding.
We’ll show you how other fertility centers are improving patient experience, reducing doctor and staff burnout, reducing cancelations, and improving workflow.