have dedicated their time to developing the tools we need to improve perioperative ... Providing the best care possible requires that we base our practices on the ...
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
A Year in Reflection VICTORIA M. STEELMAN, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN, AORN PRESIDENT
M
argaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” This quote is especially inspirational and reminds me of the hard work of AORN members and staff who have dedicated their time to developing the tools we need to improve perioperative patient care and make our workplace safer. Here are just a few of the accomplishments we have achieved this past year in our pursuit of excellence.
IMPROVING CLINICAL PRACTICE
“Guideline for a Safe Environment of Care, Part II”7 (the “Recommended Practices for Traffic Patterns in the Perioperative Practice Setting” was incorporated into this document) “Guidelines for Specimen Management”8 “Guideline for Autologous Tissue Management”9 Member input received during the public commenting period on the AORN web site ensures that these documents are relevant to our members in diverse settings.
Providing the best care possible requires that we base our practices on the best evidence available. AORN staff and the Guidelines Advisory Board have responded to this demand by assuring that our documents meet the expectations set by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and can be accepted into the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC). This is critically important because the NGC is the repository for documents that are used by accrediting agencies as well as by state and federal government when developing quality performance measures. During this past year, the Guidelines Advisory Board reviewed and refined eight perioperative practice guidelines, which are all available in the 2015 edition of Guidelines for Perioperative Practice1:
National and international disasters, whether natural or manmade, remind us that we are vulnerable and need to be ready. The Emergency Preparedness Task Force surveyed AORN members to determine what resources are needed to manage a variety of these events (eg, tornado, hurricane, flood, violence, mass casualty). Next, task force members completed a gap analysis, comparing the needs identified in the survey results with resources currently available. In response to this information, the AORN Board of Directors approved a collaboration with Safe America, an organization with extensive resources for emergency preparedness. Information about this organization can be found at https://safeamerica.org/. The task force’s webinar, presented in February 2015, is available on the AORN web site.
“Guideline for Surgical Attire”2 “Guideline for Cleaning and Care of Instruments and Powered Equipment”3 “Guideline for Managing the Patient Receiving Moderate Sedation/Analgesia”4 “Guideline for Care of the Patient Receiving Local Anesthesia”5 “Guideline for Preoperative Patient Skin Antisepsis”6
The Clinical Nursing Practice Committee revised the AORN position statement Care of the Older Adult in Perioperative Settings10 and developed resources to assist in effective communication and providing culturally competent care. These tools are important because they address the needs of our changing patient population. To ensure that AORN’s products and services remain relevant and help us meet the needs of our patients, the Board of Directors appointed
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aorn.2015.01.010 ª AORN, Inc, 2015
www.aornjournal.org
AORN Journal j 301
Steelman
Dennis R. Parker, MBA, BS (Principal), as patient representative. His background as an engineer has been valuable to members of the Patient Engagement Task Force as they review AORN’s documents to determine where patient engagement might be incorporated. In order to provide high-quality care, we also need to make sure that we remain healthy and that our workplace is not only safe but also promotes healthy lifestyles. In response to this national initiative, the Clinical Nursing Practice Committee developed the AORN position statement Key Components of a Healthy Perioperative Work Environment.11
IMPROVING EDUCATION Education is a key element of AORN’s mission and one in which the organization excels. Yet, we need to continuously update our educational materials to ensure that we remain current and relevant. The Transition Into Practice Task Force revised materials highlighting the importance of perioperative nursing in curricula. This task force also revised the student experience at the AORN Surgical Conference & Expo and developed critical-thinking scenarios available for use in nurse residency programs. This work is essential to recruit and retain young nurses in the perioperative specialty. The way in which nurses receive education has also changed, with simulation providing a valuable learning environment and improved retention. In response to this evidence-based change in education, the Simulation Task Force developed a template for perioperative multidisciplinary simulations and then used this template to develop an initial set for educators to use: Fire Safety, Malignant Hyperthermia, and Failed Airway. Nurses need to engage in lifelong learning to continuously develop their knowledge and skills. To promote this process, the American Nurses Credentialing Center has revised its criteria to award continuing education credit for educational programs. The Continuing Education Approval Committee revised the online application process for continuing education to meet these expectations. To assist AORN members, this committee developed material to promote successful applications, including two webinars, published two newsletters, and created Steps for Success, an online resource for planning educational events. These resources are available at http:// www.aorn.org/Education/CEApprovalProcess/.
REMAINING RELEVANT The location in which perioperative nursing is practiced has changed dramatically. Operating room suites were once unique, 302 j AORN Journal
March 2015, Volume 101, No. 3
isolated environments. Now, many procedures are being done in hybrid ORs. The perioperative nursing care provided in these ORs is unique, complex, and high risk. We need to ensure that nurses have the necessary skills to provide this type of care. In collaboration with the Association for Radiologic & Imaging Nursing, the National Committee on Education developed competencies for perioperative nursing in interventional radiology and hybrid operating rooms and provided a webinar that is available through the AORN web site.12 Many surgeries are now performed in ambulatory surgery centers and physician offices. Although AORN has developed extensive resources to assist nurses in the ambulatory setting and will continue with these efforts, we have only begun addressing the growing transition to office-based surgery. To develop an understanding of office-based practices and the resources needed, the Nursing Research Committee developed a survey of workers in office-based surgery, querying about their knowledge and use of key safety practices. The survey will be conducted in 2015, after which the results will be shared. In order to remain relevant, it is essential that we take an active role in recruiting members at the local level and focus additional efforts on recruiting younger members. To assist local chapters, the Membership Committee participated in planning activities for the Volunteer Leadership Academy. This event, hosted at AORN headquarters in May 2014, provided an inspirational setting with some hands-on advocacy training for chapter leaders. Evaluations were very positive. This year, the event will be held May 15 to 16, 2015, again at AORN headquarters in Denver, CO. The Membership Committee developed a recruitment and retention tool for chapter leaders to use in attracting younger members at the local level. Recruitment is an essential component for helping chapters stay strong in the future. Younger member input is also needed at the national level. To ensure that AORN remains relevant and engages younger members, the Board of Directors appointed Elizabeth Horne, BSN, RN, as Board Intern. It has been valuable to have Ms Horne’s input at the time decisions are being made in the boardroom.
INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION This past year, AORN has continued its collaboration with nurses in other countries. We share common goals, face similar issues, and learn a great deal from one another. AORN is a leader in perioperative nursing around the world, and others look to us for knowledge. This is exemplified by a large number of international attendees at our annual conference. This year, the International Relations Committee did an outstanding job planning the Sixth Annual International Summit, “United in Our Pursuit of Excellence,” to be hosted
www.aornjournal.org
March 2015, Volume 101, No. 3
at the AORN Surgical Conference & Expo. Speakers from Europe and Asia will share their expertise and experiences with nurses from around the world. The importance of AORN’s influence is also demonstrated by requests for international representation and presentations. During this past year, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend the Association for Perioperative Practice’s 50th anniversary conference and celebration in England. I also provided invited presentations in China to the Chinese Nurses Association and in Japan to the Japanese Nurses Association and to the Asian Perioperative Nurses Association. I met with colleagues from around the globe during the International Federation of Perioperative Nurses Board of Directors’ meeting in New Zealand. These international opportunities further strengthen our collaboration and were usually at no expense to AORN. In this way, we have a global impact on patient care.
RECOGNITION OF EXCELLENCE In order to inspire perioperative nurses to be the best that they can be, we need to recognize their contributions. Doing so demonstrates appreciation for the time and dedication of these members and encourages others to participate at this level. This year, the Awards Committee selected recipients for individual awards, including the Award for Excellence, AORN’s highest award, and outstanding achievement awards in education, mentorship, a promising professional, volunteerism, council leadership and advocacy, research or evidence-based practice, clinical nursing practice, and nursing management. Chapter award recipients were also selected. To ensure that we are appropriately recognizing members, the Member Recognition Task Force reviewed ways in which contributions are recognized. This resulted in the Board of Directors initiating the designation of Legacy Member, recognizing members who have served for 40 or more years. At the AORN Surgical Conference & Expo, individual award recipients will be announced and Legacy Members will receive a special ribbon. For more information about the awards program, go to http://www.aorn.org/Secondary.aspx? id¼20818&terms¼awards. These are some of the highlights of the past year. I wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to the AORN staff members who do so much to provide excellent products, services, and member support. My thanks to all of the volunteer members who have contributed at the local, state, and national levels. You make a difference every day and are an inspiration. Our pursuit of excellence will continue for many years to come.
www.aornjournal.org
President’s Message
I encourage all of you to share your passion and expertise by completing a Willingness-to-Serve form on the AORN web site.13 It is through this extra effort that we will remain a strong, vital organization dedicated to improving patient care and ensuring a safe workplace.
References 1. Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015. 2. Guideline for surgical attire. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015:97-120. 3. Guideline for cleaning and care of instruments and powered equipment. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015:615-650. 4. Guideline for managing the patient receiving moderate sedation/ analgesia. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015:553-562. 5. Guideline for care of the patient receiving local anesthesia. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015:513-524. 6. Guideline for preoperative patient skin antisepsis. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015:43-66. 7. Guideline for a safe environment of care, part II. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015: 265-290. 8. Guidelines for specimen management. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015:389-418. 9. Guideline for autologous tissue management. In: Guidelines for Perioperative Practice. Denver, CO: AORN, Inc; 2015:187-238. 10. Care of the Older Adult in Perioperative Settings [AORN Position Statement]. AORN.org. http://www.aorn.org/WorkArea/Download Asset.aspx?id¼21926. Accessed January 7, 2015. 11. Key Components of a Healthy Perioperative Work Environment [AORN Position Statement]. AORN.org. http://www.aorn.org/Work Area/DownloadAsset.aspx?id¼21934. Accessed January 7, 2015. 12. Reducing radiological exposure. AORN.org. http://www.aorn .org/Education/Curriculum/Periop_Mastery_Program/Reducing_ Radiological_Exposure.aspx. Accessed January 7, 2015. 13. Willingness-to-Serve form. AORN, Inc. http://www.aorn.org/Get_ Involved/Community/Chapters/ManageYourChapter/Supporting_ Documents/2013_2014_Chapter_Willingness-to-Serve_Form.aspx. Accessed January 7, 2015.
Victoria M. Steelman, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN is the AORN President and an assistant professor at The University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa City. Dr Steelman has no declared affiliation that could be perceived as posing a potential conflict of interest in the publication of this article.
AORN Journal j 303
