Circulat r AORN Chapter #4410, editor North Harris Montgomery County March/April 2007 the The AORN Mission AORN is the professional organization of perioperative registered nurses whose mission is to promote quality patient care by providing its members with education, standards, services and representation. Sometimes being perioperative nurses seems like being a battery. We begin fully charged. A quick turn of the key (or, as the case may be, a push of the button), and we jump effortlessly into gear. No hill is too high, no road is too long. We can go for hours even though we have to make many stops and restart the engine multiple times. We do this all day, day in and day out, month in and month out. We do not even realize that a subtle but definite drain of energy from the battery is occurring. A weekend off helps to re-charge the battery a little. Somehow, though, our battery just isn t quite as crisp or responsive. Then along comes the annual AORN Congress. Having just returned from said Congress, I can tell you that attending this event is just what this battery needed. I have been to many Congresses and I thought I knew what to expect. It continues to surprise me, though, when I realize that all of a sudden my spirits are soaring. Once again my choice of and my role in perioperative nursing has been reaffirmed by thousands of my colleagues as well as nationally acclaimed speakers. My educational needs in all of the perioperative arenas have been met to over-filling. The presence of over 6,000 perioperative RN s from around the world provided untold opportunities to share information and anecdotes. Large numbers of our international colleagues reconfirmed that my professional organization is the standard bearer in the world for perioperative nursing. So, this battery is fully charged once again and ready to climb those hills and make those long runs. It is my hope that if you are feeling a little drained that you will join us next year when AORN Congress goes to Anaheim from March 30th to April 3rd, 2008. In the meantime, you can join us for our local monthly gatherings for a jump-start! Shirley Dukes Rodeo Volunteers Sitting Pretty Debbie Rutledge and Cheryl Stevenson volunteered on the Medical Safety Committee at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo last month.
Association of Operating Room Nurses Officers 2006-2007 President Shirley Dukes 936-441-5447 parishrn@suddenlink.net President-Elect Pat Hoge 281-379-2517 jhoge@houston.rr.com Past President Mary Lynne Weemering 281-358-9497 mlw02@earthlink.net Vice President phone: 281-537-1618 fax: 281-580-6693 rlchurchman@sbcglobal.net Secretary Cheryl Stevenson 281-355-1265 home: kencher1@charter.net work: clstevenson@tmh.tmc.edu Treasurer Jean Franks 281-360-1068 jfranks450@hotmail.com Newsletter Editor phone: 281-537-1618 fax: 281-580-6693 rlchurchman@sbcglobal.net Newsletter Publisher Lynn Boeding phone/fax 281/362-8408 lboeding@aol.com Board of Directors Robby Brockhoff 281-463-6466 rbrockhoff@sbcglobal.net Lillie Mae Kearns 281-448-0414 lilliemaek@aol.com Karen Evans 281-362-0477 karen.evans@memorialhermann.org Helen Tomb-Taylor 936-321-0132 htombtaylor@aol.com Donna Hameier home 832-717-0643 work 936-539-7009 dhameier@houston.rr.com Legislative News At press time the 80th Texas Legislature is in its 87th day of the session and taking advantage of a brief recess over the Easter weekend. Reports reflect that there is a 14% increase in the number of bills being filed this session. Major concerns with the BNE Sunset Bill have been addressed and appropriations to fund the nursing shortage are being heavily targeted. The Agenda Coalition (NLAC) is also taking a break from our weekly conference calls. There are numerous bills being watched and several alerts made prompting grassroots efforts in contacting the legislators. The Night Rider Report published via Texas Nurses Association continues to be a valuable tool in following the nursing bills. For info go to www. texasnurses.org Results from a survey by the Health Resources and Service Administration show a 7.9% increase of RNs in the U.S. This growth took place from 2000-2004 and now there are a reported estimated 2.9 million RNs in the workforce. Note worthy news on the national nursing front includes: Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Steve LaTourette (R-OH) have re- formed House Nursing Caucus in the 110th US House of Representatives. The caucus will provide non-partisan discussion concerning issues that impact nursing and hopefully address the key issues. On 02/07/07 President Bush signed a continuing resolution completing funding for the fiscal year containing flat funding for nursing programs. Leaders at N-Stat and ANA were able to defeat a Senate proposal that would have enacted an across the board cut in nursing programs. Efforts to strike the Wicker Rider in 2008 are being made now; Reports are out from the National Health Statistics and CMS expecting that health care costs will double to 4.1 trillion by the year 2016 and will account for 20% of every dollar spent;the Nursing School Capacity Act of 2007 (HR 677) was introduced by Rep Rush Hole (D-NJ) requiring the National Academy of Sciences to study why nursing schools are turning away qualified applicant, the faculty shortage, ways to improve clinical education, and measures that promote and improve nurse retention; and lastly, the National League for Nursing (NLN) is establishing an Academy of Nursing Education, for those colleagues, who have made a substantial contribution in academic nursing education. As usual the undaunting spirit of the perioperative RN prevailed during the 54th AORN Congress in Orlando, FL. From opening ceremony, to the candidates caucus, to the exhibits, to the educational offerings, to the Forums, to the House of Delegates (HOD) there is always that spark of excitement in the air that carries over to your return home. However, some years there are more sparks than others but nary a dull moment. It never ceases to amaze me how the business of AORN is conducted in such a professional manner despite the heated debates over controversial issues. It makes me proud to serve the chapter as a delegate and to be a part of AORN., rn, crnfa Establish Goals To Prevent Errors In the U.S. there are approximately 1.3 million people who are accidentally injured or killed by medical errors. Even more shocking is that the number of reported errors is in the rise. Simply, stated more people die from medical errors than from highway accidents, breast cancer and AIDS. The Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimates that 98,000 American die yearly as a result of preventable medical errors. Establishing goals is one way of assisting heath-care providers to become more aware of system errors and near misses.
Chapter News In Brief Chapter Stats As of 04/05/07 nationally, AORN has 41,309 members. Locally, Chapter #4410 has 121 members: 6 standard, 7 retired, 3 facility, 2 associate, 2 student, 1 3-year, and 1 Platinum 1000. A big welcome to the following new members, Nancy Courville of Spring Branch Medical Center, Kelly Metaxas, Jennifer Mullinnis, Nursing Student Cindy Patillo of MD Anderson Medical Center, Teoka Shelton of Kirby Surgical Center, Joy Simon of Pallidium for Surgery, and Susan Unger of Chritus St. Catherine Hospital. Dates to Remember 04/12/07 TNA membership meeting and program, The Terrace at West University, 5151 Buffalo Speedway, 1730 04/18/07 Chapter Meeting, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital 05/10/07 Multicultural CNE Stroll in Rice Village. For more info contact the TNA office at tna9@tnadistrict9.org 05/10/07 Mothers Day 05/6-12/07 National Nurses Week 05/16/07 Chapter Meeting, The Methodist Willowbrook, maps to follow 06/20/07 Installation of Officers, Outback Steak Restaurant at 1960 & I-45 07/20-22/07 AORN Leadership Meeting, Denver, CO We Need YOU! April is time to start thinking about volunteering for a chapter office. This year the following spots are available in the slate of offiers, board of directors and nominating committee: President-Elect Treasurer BOD (2) Nominating Committee (2) Interested parties will be mentored into the position. Won t you consider participating in YOUR professional organization? Please contact Lois Gronau-Fietz at loisgronau@sbcglobal.net. FUN Volunteers Needed! Come one, come all, help is needed at The Children s Museum. With summer approaching, the Museum is scheduling activities for children of all ages. Your help is needed with this chapter project. It s great fun playing with the kids! Jerry G. Peers Award Winners The Jerry G. Peers award was established years ago by colleagues, in honor and recognition of this visionary AORN leader. The individual or individuals who receive this award have given unselfishly of their time and energy via their contributions to AORN. Through these contributions they have made an impact on the growth, progress and welfare of AORN. This is a surprise award given annual during opening session at Congress. The 2007 award winners go to Trish Seifert, RN, MSN, CNOR, FAAN, Past AORN President and Dan Sandel, President of Sandel Enterprises. Dan states his greatest gift to mankind has been getting nurses off their knees by developing the needle finder. Congratulations Trish and Dan! Thanks For The Memories...(and the hard work!) Several chapter members made this year s Congress even more successful by giving of their time and resources. Words of appreciation are not strong enough to thank Ann and Jeff McKennis for their creation and development of the Chapter Award submission. Mary Lynne Weemering took on the fund raising project of selling neck scarves at Congress. We also say a big Thank You to all of those who completed the sewing of those scarves. Robby Brochoff brought her beautiful jewelry to Orlando and continued to make more during her free hours so we would have plenty of items to sell to the attendees. A big round of applause for Robby. We are filled with pride at having not one but two presenters at this national meeting. Mary Lynne Weemering and. You did us proud! Thank you. The entire Texas delegation deserves a stand-up ovation. Led by Denise Jackson and Joanne Oliver, they introduced the Principles to be Used by AORN in Evaluating Allied Health Legislative Initiatives to the House of Delegates and spoke eloquently to the proposal. Their efforts and all of those who helped draft the proposal brought it to successful passage. We are truly thankful. Shirley Dukes eaorn Chapter Committee Chairs Budget & Finance Jean Franks CEU/Programs Legislative Membership Newsletter Pat Hoge Community Service Ann McKennis Research/Scholarship Pat Hoge Special Awards Policy/Bylaws TCORN Pat Hoge Communication Historian Ways/Means Robby Brockhoff Mary Lynne Weemering Nominating Committee Robby Brockhoff Marie Elliott Jane Jennings Girsel Brown Lois Gronau-Fietz
NLC poses for a photo op following the Panel Discussion on 03/13 at Congress. From left, Diane Sullivan, Reg III; Becky Churchman, Reg V; Nathalie Walker, chair; Sharon Robinson, Reg I; Susan Chandler, Reg II; and Colette Garton, Reg. IV. The secret joy in work is contained in one word Excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it. Pearl Buck, 1892-1973 Delegate s Report From Florida ORN 54th Congress in Orlando, AFlorida March 11-15, 2007 was Great! Registration by Thursday March 15th was 6,327 healthcare professionals, 6,176 exhibitors, for a total of 12,503. Our chapter delegates,, Jean Franks, Shirley Dukes, and myself, Pat Hoge attended the forums and House of Delegates covering the proposed position statements and proposed bylaw amendments, and voting for 2007-2008 officers. The position statements on patient safety, patients and healthcare workers with blood borne diseases and one perioperative registered nurse circulator dedicated to every patient undergoing a surgical or other invasive procedure - was passed by the House of Delegates. The position statements and bylaw changes are explained in the January AORN Journal. The House, without much discussion, passed the bylaw change related to specialty assembly representation. The bylaw change requiring members running for the positions of vice president and president elect must have a minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree created a lot of discussion. The House of Delegates passed this change as well. We were informed of the AORN web site redesign to make it more user-friendly and the financial statement, which was in great shape. We can be very proud of Joann Oliver and Denise Jackson, as well as the TCORN delegation for the work on the motion which was introduced at the First Forum by Joanne Oliver to the House of Delegates regarding the principles to be used by AORN in Allied Health Legislative Initiatives. After much discussion and explanations, the motion passed, so now we will have the help of National AORN in our legislative issues. The Principles are on page 6. The Delegates voted Thursday for our national officers. The winners were Susan Banschbach for President Elect, Nathalie Walker, Treasurer, and for the Board of Directors, Rhonda Anders, Claire Everson, Beverly Kirchner, and Jane Kusler-Jensen. Jane Alcock and Karen White were elected for the Nominating committee. We had many wonderful speakers, but my favorite was Scott Pelley, 60 Minute reporter and his interview with US Air Force Nurse Anesthetist, Lt. Col. Paulette Schank. She shared her experiences in Air Force Theater Hospital at Balad Air Base in Iraq, where both military and civilian patients were treated. She was an inspiration for all of us. We did not win an award at the Chapters Award Banquet, but the food was good and the program was great. Hope we can do better next year as far as working toward an award. We all had a wonderful time Tuesday at the Exhibitors party - a night at Universal Studio! We want to THANK Robby and Mary Lynne for their work with our fund raiser at Congress. We sold several scarves, but Robby s jewelry was a hit! I would love to see more of our members go to Congress next year in Anaheim, California. Congress always recharges my Perioperative Nurse s battery and it is so nice to visit with peers from all over the world. This year Congress had a large delegation of nurses from China and Korea. Thanks for letting us be your Delegates. Pat Hoge, Delegate Chair
2007 Patient Safety Goals 1. Improve the accuracy of patient identification 2. Improve the effectiveness of communication among caregivers 3. Improve the safety of using medications 4. Reduce the risk of health careassociated infections 5. Accurately & completely reconcile medication across the continuum of care 6. Reduce the risk of patient harm resulting from falls 7. Encourage patients active involvement in their own care as a patient safety strategy 8. The organization identifies safety risks inherent in its patient population TCORN members and TNA staff pause at the State Capitol during Lobby Day. From left, Denise Jackson, state coordinator; Joanne Oliver, state councils chair; Jim Willmann, TNA Government Affairs director; Karen Kurland, Chapter #4410; Fran Martin, TNA staff; and Ann McKennis, Chapter #4410. 2007-2008 AORN Officers & BOD President: Mary Jo Steiert Vice President: Charlotte Guglielmi *Treasurer: Nathalie Walker (* indicates newly elected members) Board of Directors *Rhonda Anders *Claire Everson Anne Marie Herlehy *Beverly Kirchner *Jane Kusler-Jensen Deborah Spratt Patrick Voight *President-Elect: Susan Banschbach Secretary: Jane Flowers 2007-2008 Nominating Committee Chair: Marian McCall *Jane Alcock Lynn Gentz Linda Timmons *Karen White There were 1327 delegates registered for the 52 AORN Congress in Orlando, Fl. A historical moment took place when the Speciality Assemblies seated 44 out of their 46 allotted delegates. Bylaw and position statements were passed in the House of Delegates. The wording for each will be published in future editions of the AORN Journal. Won t you volunteer a couple of hours at the Childrens Museum? Here is the schedule for this spring at the Children s Museum. Contact me at mckennis@mac.com if you d like to join us, or if you have any questions. Thursday, April 19 Thursday, May 10 Thursday, May 24 Thanks for all you do to make this community service project successful. Ann McKennis, rn, cnor(f), corln
The Motion of Allied Health Legislative Initiatives Passed by the HOD March 2007 Chapter #4410 website: www.aorn.net/ me.asp?site=chapter4410 > Yet Another Number to Remember If you are a health care professional who bills for your services i.e. APNs or RNFAs you will probably need a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number. If you bill Medicare, you will definitely need one. The good news is its free and the application completely online. For more info go to: www.nppes.cms.hhs.gov.
AORN Chapter #4410 North Harris/Montgomery County proudly presents Introduction To Robotic Surgery presented by Nathan Young, territory representative intuitive surgical, inc. Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1 contact hour is pending: contact hours for this continued nursing educational activity have been applied for through the Association of perioperative Registered Nurses, Inc., an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center s Commission on Accreditation. bring a friend! social 5:30 pm business meeting 6:00-7:00 pm program 7:00-8:00 pm Refreshments will be provided by Intuitive Surgical, Inc. Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital Conference Rooms A&B 9250 Pinecroft Drive The Woodlands >>>DIRECTIONS: Exit I-45 North @ Research Forest/Tamina, exit onto the feeder road. At traffic light take a left on Research Forest. Go to the 2nd light (this includes the light at the interstate bridge), turn left onto Pinecroft Drive. You will see the hospital on the left about 1 block down. Enter the front entrance and turn left to the classrooms. AORN AORN BOARD MINUTES March 1, 2007 Call to order: 6:45pm by President Shirley Dukes; Minutes read and approved Financial report: $2171.55 Chapter meetings: March: No meeting due to AORN Congress April 18: Memorial Woodlands, Jane Jennings is contact person, Shirley will e-mail her. May 16: Methodist Willowbrook on Carticel Implants by Genzyme rep June 20: Installation of Officers 6:30pm at Outback on I-45 and 1960. Board meetings: July 2007 post leadership/joint board meeting at Cali bldg 6:30pm Congress stipend for Delegates and Alternates: discussion was deferred until April meeting. Alternates may decline offer of financial support. We were thanked for sending in our presentation project but did not receive an award. Congress nominee s information was reviewed. Scarves project-mary Lynne distributed 78 scarves for delegates to sell at Congress. Mary Lynne and Becky will speak at Congress. Texas is introducing principles of scrub role & CST s. Jewelry-Robby displayed jewelry and asked for assistance in selling it at Congress. Newsletter-Donna proposed we make follow-up calls to previous ad submissions contact person and we should track payment for the ads and illegible ads. Newsletter needs to be completed by last week of March per Becky. TNA-conference call tonight at 2030. Becky will email everyone the site to Rep. Coleman-texasnurses.org Becky said Constance O Brien, a contact from Kate Lindsey is collecting eyeglasses, hearing aides, lenses, cases, etc. for the Lions Club Jean announced that the Red Cross is training health care workers about the Pandemic of Avian Flu on April 24, 2007. She will email nurses the site to register. Raffle ticket sales and nursing student scholarship possibility to be discussed at April meeting. Cheryl Stevenson, rn, cnor
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is just that little extra. Willingness To Serve as Chapter Officer, Board of Directors, or on Nominating Committee I am aware of the eligibility requirements and responsibilities of holding a chapter office or being a board member as stated in the chapter policy and bylaws. A copy may be obtained by contacting any officer or board member. I am willing to serve the chapter as an officer, board member or on the nominating committee for the 2007-2008 term or as designated by the Board of Directors. Preferred area to serve Eligibility Requirements: Please check if requirement is fulfilled. Maintained active membership status Attended at least six chapter meetings for the chapter year Served on at least one committee Participated in at least one fund-raiser for the chapter year Ysignature date Please print: Name Position of interest: Address City/State/Zip Home # Work # Email Please return this form by the next Chapter meeting to Lois Gronau-Fietz. 1823 Ash Meadow Houston, Texas 77090