AORN of San Diego County Chapter News

Happy New Year Everyone! We are starting a new year together and we look forward to seeing you at our Chapter meeting and other activites during the six months.

 

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2012!

Our Chapter has many exciting educational opportunities planned for the rest of the year. This month's offering, on January 26th, is "Tourniquet-less Knee Arthroplasty" by Dr. David Fabi. As usual 1-Ce is available. Please check the meeting schedule page for more information; and please print the flyer and post in your department; please bring a co-worker or friend with you!

Michelle Fennel, Acting Vice-President

Welcome back after the holidays and welcome to 2012. This will be an exciting year for our chapter and you won’t want to miss anything.  In just a few short months we will attend the AORN Congress in New Orleans.  In the January Journal the proposed national bylaws changes will be published, among other news.  I urge each of you to read and be familiar with the proposed changes and then attend the chapter meetings so we can discuss the issues.  Remember you as an individual member will be able to vote for the elected officers from here at home, but only delegate attendees can vote on the association business at the House of Delegates.  Come to meetings and let your chapter delegates know your thoughts.

Don’t forget to bring new pillowcases for our chapter community outreach project this month.

And it’s not to soon to be thinking about chapter elections this year.  May will be here before you know it.

Be sure and bring your $$$$ to the meeting as well.  The chapter is having an opportunity drawing for an iPad.  The drawing will be held at Congress in March, but we are selling tickets at the next 3 meetings.

See you at the meeting. 
Vickie Pierce, PE

"Tourniquet-less Total Knee Arthroplasty" This important topic will be presented by Dr. David Fabi from Scripps Mercy Hospital. Print the flyer and share with colleagues and friends.

To learn about more education programs and future Chapter meetings visit our Meeting Schedule page.

President Lisa Finch continues her goal of Community Service in the month of January asking that everyone bring NEW PILLOWCASES for children's hospital. Her goal is to collet 25 new pillowcases. These will be distributed at our local childrens' hospital or to one in New Orleans. Thank you so much for making this happen.

The December Service project was a hit too and we have heard from our own Randy that the packages we put together we a HUGE hit. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Call to Order:  at 6:20 by President Lisa Finch

Approval of Minutes: MSC to approve minutes as printed.

President’s Report: There is here. CNOR Prep course held by Rudy Children’s Hospital is January 21 &22, 830-4:30 there are 45 seats and cost is $165.00. Info has been posted on web site. AORN foundation is looking for donations and they will be matched by Kimberly Clark up to $ 20,000.00 before December 31, 2011. Peri-op photo turned in, we did not win but it was fun and turned out well.

President -Elect: Deadline for articles for the web site is January 6th.

Vice- President- Speaker is Dr. Darlena Stevens CME from Kaiser speaking on Career Development/Career Opportunities.

Treasurer’s Report: Beginning Balance:  $26,873.55                               
Income:                      $     466.66+.64 interest                    
Expenses:                   $     265.70
                                    Ending Balance:        $ 27,075.15

 
By Laws / Policy- Vickie reported that we are up to date. Look at your January AORN Journal for proposed by- laws changes that will be voted on at congress. Hopefully we will be able to discuss it and get your opinions before Congress.

Nominating Committee:

Membership-   

Legislative:  Very important info regarding the BRN license and the sunset bill shared. Governor vetoed it, only way it can be reinstated is if a memorandum of understanding gets instituted when congress reconvenes. Letters need to be sent to legislative representative chair of the committee. Tricia Hunter former member and assembly women is very concerned. This leaves the question of who will license us, who will control reprimands. We May fall under the medical board. Check out the ORNCC web site, and send letters before Dec. 31, 2011.

Hospitality: Tonight is pot luck and next month refreshments will be supplied by a vendor Marney. We still need a volunteer for May.

Workshop: Fall workshop was held at Rancho Bernardo Winery, It was a rainy day, 13 people attended. Tried wine and cheese and had a lecture on Disaster Preparedness and made little disaster kits .Will probably look into doing it again next year.

Web Management: Web site is going well.

Social Media-

Scholarship: If you are looking for CNOR or RNFA scholarships or 1st time Congress attendee, check the web site for deadlines.

Golf: We are still holding the reservation for the 1st Friday in June but still need someone to head it up.

Ways & Means- Wine available for opportunity drawing tonight. Tickets for the Ipad are on sale tonight until Congress they are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00. Think of something to sell for Congress here in 2013.

Best Practice- no report

Unfinished Business:

New Business: We would like to provide an opportunity for someone to volunteer to scan the remaining years of minutes to preserve them on a jump drive.
 
We are looking for someone willing to serve as the chapter historian who will retain these files.

Announcements: Everyone’s points need to be turned in to Vickie by December 15; we use a point system for Congress. If you have done anything other than attend meetings (i.e.; community project, food bank) let Vickie know     

Speaker will select the best Christmas sweater tonight; winner will receive a boxed ornament.

We are doing a community service project for the military. Randy our vice president (in absentia) is overseas in South East Asia and asks if we could send something for the troops. We will be assembling bags for the Military following this meeting. Fill a bag and pick up a Christmas card and sign it from AORN San Diego so they know where the goodies came from.

 
Adjourned: at 6:40pm
Respectfully Submitted By:

Suzanne Higginbotham RN, CNOR

 

 

 

Legislative News January 2012

It IS 2012 and as I said last month it will be interesting and/or awful. If we get through all of the political stuff until the next election, it will be a miracle.  But as this time goes by quickly we are that much closer to the AORN convention in New Orleans.  N.O. is a fun and interesting city as you know if you’ve ever been there.  And if you have not, look forward to it. 

I have recently visited two important California AORN websites, ORNCC and ANA\C.  As reported before, the BRN board was to stop functioning as of January 1st 2012.  According to what I have found out from both of these sites is that on October 7th the Governor vetoed SB 538 which would have continued the existence of the BRN.  The veto was NOT related to the BRN itself but had to do with administrative issues like salary and pensions for the investigators.  The Governor in his veto letter said when the Legislature reconvenes, to send him legislation restoring the BRN.  He also directed his administration to take all to protect both consumers and nurses alike until the Board is reconstituted in January.  The Governor will appoint a new board in January.  Your letters can still be of value.  Please write/re-write your letters again to Sacramento.  I will continue to follow this.

Another interesting notice from AORN is on a “Research Study About Patient Safety Issues” by two Perioperative nurses (Victoria Steelman and Paula Graling).They want nurses in clinical practice to participate in a study titled, “Patient Safety Issues Identified by Perioperative Registered Nurses”.  If you are interested in participating in this research, please let me know as I have a copy of all the information you will need. 

If you do go to Congress there will be some sessions on implementing the new Recommended Practices (RPs) as published in the new edition of AORN’s Perioperative Standards and Recommended Practices, 2012 Edition, which is for sale now.  The sessions are listed under AORN (aorn@informz.net).      

From the ANA Smart Brief site, the top issue this month was on AORN recommended medication safety practices for all perioperative team members.  It covers best practices of procuring, prescribing, transcribing dispensing, administering and monitoring medications.  The whole information is in Nurse.com 1/15.

Submitted by Virginia L Ogren RN, BSN, CNOR

A Chapter tradition is to have a holiday potluck with everyone bringing a favorite dish. We also have fun with our Holiday Sweater Contest. So wear our favorite holiday sweater/t-shirt just might win a prize!

Happy Fall Y'all! It's almost Thanksgiving and we are entering the holiday months. During this time we as a chapter would like to help make some holiday's even better. We are going to do a community service project at our next meeting (December 1, 2011). We will be putting together care packages for Randy Blattler (our VP somewhere is SW Asia) and some Marines that are stationed near him. We will need donations to include in the packages. Some items that have been suggested are; baby wipes, movies; cards, candy (not chocolate); beef jerkey, baby wipes, baby wipes and just about anything we can fit in a box. Please send me an email if you are interested in donating something. We will have holiday cards to sign to include in the packages. Any ideas are welcome.

Our December meeting is a fun one with the traditional sweater contest. A festive prize will be awarded to the person wearing the most "festive" sweater.

AORN Congress is just around the corner. We have requested a table to fundraise. Our chapter will be selling tickets to enter into a drawing for an iPad2.

December is also the month that your points are totaled and delegates are selected to represent our chapter at Congress. Messages will be sent via email to the members that qualify for the position. To get all the information visit the delegate page.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone on December 1st.

Your President-Lisa Finch

Well 2011 is coming to a close and we are looking at 2012 right around the corner. In October I had the privilege to attend the state council meeting, ORNCC, along with Michelle Fennell, in Burbank. What a dynamic group of perioperative nurses. They are on the front lines with our legislators, state nursing board, and other regulatory agencies. Please take some time and check out the web site at www.orncc.org and see what other nurses in our state are doing. And while you're there print out an associate member application and join this fine group. You won't be sorry you did. Speaking of ORNCC, are you looking for scholarship monies? There are funds available through the state council if you are going to school for your BSN or higher degree, or if you are in a perioperative training program.

Congress is right around the corner. Are you interested in representing our chapter as an official delegate? If so check the delegate page for details and criteria for selection. We appoint using a point system. Points are due December 15, 2011. If you have any questions, please get in touch with me.

Hope you see many of you at the December 1st meeting. Download the educational flyer and bring a friend.

Vickie Pierce, BSN RN, CNOR
President-Elect

Happy Thanksgiving!

Our educational offering for December is "Career Development/Career Opportunities" by Dr. Darlena A. Stevens, CNE Kaiser Permanente. This is a very interesting and timley topic so mark your calendars and join us. Please print the flyer and post in your units; bring a colleague, network and enjoy the potluck. Don't forget to wear your most festive holiday sweater for the annual contest.

The education opportunities in 2012 are also posted and there is a flyer for each month; please also post in your departments so your co-workers can see what is coming up and make plans to attend.

Also, if you would like to present a topic or have a suggestion for a topic for our meetings, or know of a someone else who would be interested, including MD's or vendors, pleace contact me, Michelle Fennell.

Have a wonderful, peaceful holiday and I look forward to seeing you December 1st.

Submitted by,

Michelle Fennell

Thinking about the New Year and what it has to offer? Are you asking questions about your career? This is the perfect meeting for you. We have Dr. Darlena A. Stevens, CNE Kaiser Permanente will present "Career Opportunities/Career Development." (Darlena started as a perioperative nurse so she has personal experience on growing your career.)

Come bring a friend, join with our holiday potluck and wear your holiday sweater. Print the educational flyer and share it at work.

SAN DIEGO AORN GENERAL MEETING MINUTES
October 27, 2011

Call to Order: by President Lisa Finch
Approval of Minutes: MSC to approve minutes as printed.

President’s Report: Lisa reported that Congress registration is now open.Congress scholarships are available from the AORN Foundation& from CCI. Vickie will do a letter to the editor for Peri-op Nurse week. E-mail letter from Randy was received he can be reached at randyb1050@sbcglobal.net. The marines could use care packages, Community service project for December will be care packages for the marines stationed where Randy is located.There are up to 50 free seminars available from AORN& ANA. Volunteers worked at the MS Bay to Bay bike ride on Sunday 25th.Volunteer San Diego closed. If you are doing something at your facility send the info or pictures to Lisa and she will get it on the web site.

President -Elect - Vickie would like all reports by November 18th. November 1st is the deadline for those who are 1st time CNOR or RNFA and took your test between April and September.

Vice- President- Michelle reported that she has the following speakers. Tonight is Maryke Schmidt from 3M on Hand Hygiene in the Peri-operative area, December is CEO of Kaiser, Dr. Darlena Stevens on Career Opportunities & Career Development, January is Dr. Fabi he will be talk on Tourniquet-less Total KneeArthroplasty, February is Samantha Hua, on EatingHealthy for Busy Professionals,   March (TBD) April is Linda Phillips speaking on Precepting in Perioperative Services.

Treasurer’s Report: Beginning Balance: $ 26,860.14
                                    Income:                      $ 654.67
                                    Expenses:                   $  641.88
                                    Ending Balance:        $ 26,873.55

Membership-  374.

Legislative: Posted on web site.Topics: School Nurses, Sterile Fields, Propofol use, Needless Flu shots, and Gaps in RN circulators.

Hospitality:  May is still open. Next month is potluck.

Workshop: Bernardo Winery12:00pm with tour at 1:00pm fee is $25.00 if you go to our face book page you can save $3.00.

Golf:

Ways & Means- We have 6 AORN grab bags for raffle tonight. The Quilt for the Tournament of Roses,Flowers for the Float, is available tonight to view. Tickets are $5.00 each or 6/$25.00.

Unfinished Business:Peri-op Nurses photo will be taken tonight. Lisa will send it in. There is a food drive and a wagon for everyone to place can foods in tonight.

New Business:Nancy Lilliottbrought in nursing books for anyone who is interested; they are free for the taking. We will be having the Christmas Festive sweater contest. Josslyn, nurse educator in the OR, from Rady Children’s is hosting a CNOR exam Prep class.

Announcements: Sharp Healthcare has bought a seat on the Float in the Rose Parade for 2013 and will have a nurse on the float representing Sharp. The challenge is for all the other hospitals to get on the wagon and buy a seat for $30,000.00. Jim Stobinski is the Director of Credentialing at CCI.

Respectfully Submitted By:

Suzanne Higginbotham RN,CNOR

 

 

Legislative News November December 2011

It will soon be a new year 2012 and should be an interesting one with elections, party politics and possibly a change in presidents.  And of course the most relevant and exciting one for AORN nurses will be our convention in New Orleans!!  N.O. is a fun and interesting city as you know if you’ve been there. 

The November Periop Insider several interesting questions as well as News Briefs, one of which is about the governor of New Jersey doing a conditional veto of the surgical technologist bill.  Governor Christie returned the surgical technologist education and certification bill to the legislature unsigned, citing concerns that the bill would limit the pool of candidates for employment as a surgical technologist. You can read the complete story in the P.I. sent on November 16th.  

The clinical question of the week was about autograft package storage and labeling in a manner that meets The American Association of Tissue Banks standards and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as the Joint Commission safety goal of patient identification.  It should have labeling applied to the package and or container to verify the accuracy of labeling of human tissue. 

Another P.I question is about how heavy instrument sets can be for sterilization?  AORN and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) recommends that sets and trays should not exceed 25 pounds.  Sets exceeding that have proven to result in wet sets unless drying time is extended.  Sets exceeding 25 pounds also present an increased risk of ergonomic injury to personnel handling the sets.

The Legislative Policy and Regulatory News from ANA SmartBrief has several interesting items as well. The new CMS chief appointed by President Obama is a patient-oriented former ICU nurse.  She rose through hospital management ranks to become a CEO.  She brings a different approach to the CMS job and former colleagues say she is a quick thinker, patient oriented and a pragmatist.  In the same issue, the AMA recommends that States should have flexibility on programs for the uninsured.  States alternative models of health care delivery should prohibit denying coverage of pre-existing conditions and should give patients choices between plans, the AMA said.  Also in this issue it states that Medicare’s “doughnut hole” on drug coverage gets smaller.  The gap is expected to decrease by up to 40% this year.

In the November 11th issue the CDC says most U.S. smokers say they want to quit.  Almost 70% of adult smokers in the U.S. said they want to quit and more than half tried in 2010.  Unfortunately only about 6% succeeded.  The agency also found that health insurance plays a positive role in an individual’s ability to quit smoking.  In the trends section of this issue, the FDA has approved a MelaFind skin cancer detector.  The device emits skin-penetrating light and takes colored images displaying the depth and shape of lesions which can be compared to a 10,000 image database to determine whether a biopsy is indicated.       

Also in this issue in the Legislative Policy News, the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has provided 34 million in funding to support projects focused on reducing health care-associated blood stream infections including central line-associated infections and methicillin-resistant Staph-aureus   infections. This investment will “give doctors and health care teams the help they need to ensure that patients are safe from infections”.

For more information on these issues please log on to the most current issues from Periop Insider and ANA Smart Brief. These are both a benefit to all AORN members and can be accessed on line at the AORN website.  If you need help doing this contact me.

Submitted by Virginia L. Ogren RN, BSN, CNOR