the official daily publication of the AORN Congress
2010 Congress Highlights
AORN BUSINESS
Dues increase, bylaws hot issues in the Forum
The 2010 Forum was held on Wednesday, March 17. Following is a list of agenda topics that were reviewed:Delegates voted to extend Wednesday morning’s Forum by 30 minutes so they could continue the debate on the proposed dues increase and proposed changes to the AORN bylaws. Delegates lined up on both sides of the issues as they considered the potential benefits or detriments to AORN membership and Congress attendance.
A. Proposed dues increase
B. Proposed Position Statement on the Care of the Older Adult in Perioperative Settings
C. Proposed Position Statement on the RN First Assistant
D. National Leadership Development Committee
E. Proposed Bylaws Amendment Related to Eligibility—Elections—Terms—Vacancies—Removal
F. Proposed Bylaws Amendment Related to Meetings
G. Proposed Bylaws Amendment Related to Official Publication
Dues increase. President Patrick Voight, RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, served as the resource for the discussion on the dues increase. There has not been a dues increase since 2003, and the current dues do not cover the cost of services to members. He explained that without an increase AORN will need to considered cutting services and provided the example of the short time last summer in which the consult line was offered for a fee instead of free to members as it had been previously. “If you remember,” he said, “and a lot of you do, because you emailed me. You shut down my server. We heard you loud and clear, but if a dues increase doesn’t go through, we’ll need to make difficult decisions.”
Bylaws changes. Missi Merlino, RN, MHA, CNOR, served as the resource for the proposed bylaws changes. She explained that AORN’s membership is at approximately the same level as it was in 1988, despite the large increase in surgical procedures. In addition, in 2009, approximately 20% of chapters did not fill their delegate seats; as a result some members have no representation. Other members who would like to vote cannot because they are required to attend chapter meetings in order to be selected as a delegate. Today’s technology enables members to vote electronically, and more avenues are available to obtain information outside of chapter meetings. There also are potential legal ramifications of excluding a certain class of members from voting. “Our 50-plus year old organizational structure requires a substantial update,” Merlino said.
The proposed bylaws amendment to Article VII would allow all members in good standing and with voting rights as defined in the bylaws to vote for officers, Board members, and members of the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee. Voting would be primarily electronic with ballots sent to those who request them. The voting would open before Congress and close at a predetermined time. The candidates' speeches would still be given at Congress, and would be sent electronically to members after Congress. The proposed changes to Article VIII would define a quorum for all business meetings of the Association as those members in good standing with voting rights as defined in the bylaws who are present at the meeting.
Read the full article, including feedback from members, on pages one and two of of the Thursday print PDF.
First House of Delegates held Tuesday
Delegates and other attendees left Tuesday afternoon’s House of Delegates session with a new checklist in hand. The Comprehensive Surgical Checklist incorporates the elements of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety checklist and elements from the Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goals and Universal Protocol in one document. The checklist meets World Health Organization criteria and will be posted on the Joint Commission web site as a best practice. President Patrick Voight, RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, announced the availability of the checklist during the President’s Report to the House.
Follow AORN News for more information on the checklist.
EVENTS, EDUCATION, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES
Hokie Nation wins the duel for QuizBowl champions
The wild, wild west-themed QuizBowl was a roaring success with four teams dueling for the title of QuizBowl champions. The judges were aptly dressed in western garb with Cecil King, RN, MS, CNOR, as a gunslinger and Renae Battié, RN, MN, CNOR, and Kathy Gaberson, PhD, RN, CNOR, CNE, ANEF, as saucy saloon girls. All that was missing was tumbleweed tumbling across the stage. In the first round, the Pennsylvania Kissers edged out the Richmond Rockin Robins for their spot in the finals. Hokie Nation won the face off in round two against the Graue Mill Grinders. During the final round, Hokie Nation and the Pennsylvania Kissers returned to the stage for another match. Each team fought a good fight, but in the end, Hokie Nation emerged from the smoke of battle as the winner.
Hokie Nation
Pennsylvania Kissers
Richmond Rockin' Robins
Graue Mill Grinders
Special SA Projects at Congress
During Congress, members of the Pediatric Specialty Assembly (SA) collected pillowcases for pediatric cancer patients. The project is part of the ConKerr Cancer: A Case for Smiles project. The Retired Nurses Specialty Assembly (SA) partnered with PROJECT C.U.R.E. (Commission on Urgent Relief & Equipment), which builds sustainable health care infrastructure by providing the medical supplies and equipment that medical personnel need to deliver health care to their communities. Retired Nurses SA volunteers spent time packaging medical equipment and other materials that will later be sent to developing countries. Both of these projects were successful.
Members of the Pediatric SA show off some of the
pillowcases that were donated.
Members of the Retired SA and
volunteers are shown in front of the
Project C.U.R.E sign.
Exhibitors finish first at AORN Foundation 5K Race for Patient Safety
More than 500 people registered for the annual AORN Foundation Race for Patient Safety. Buses transported the runners and walkers from their hotels to Denver’s City Park, where clear skies and a brisk wind made for a chilly start to the day. The runners set off on their 3.1-mile course at 6:35 AM and began to cross the finish line less than 20 minutes later.
First back was Kermit Hogeston, from Churubusco, Ind, who is attending Congress as an exhibitor for Zimmer. Trish Frisella, of San Jose, Calif., an employee of Stryker Endoscopy, was the first female runner to complete the race. Victor Bayley, RN, BSN, CNOR, and Christine Hinks, RN, nurses from Portland, Ore, and Chester County, Penn., respectively, were the first walkers to finish the 1.5 mile walking course. All the contestants enjoyed some well-earned refreshments at the race’s end.
 Run winners Kermit Hogeston and Trish Frisella. |
 Walk winners Victor Bayleyand Christine Hinks. |
AORN Prizes in the Exhibit Hall
Attendees were encouraged to visit the Exhibit Hall Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to enter to win a prize valued at $500. Prizes include Coach bags, iPods, laptops and jewelry. Prize winners were announced every hour on the half-hour slected the the prize of his or her choice. To
see pictures of some of the lucky Exhibit Hall winners, go here.
Drum roll please . . . exhibit hall opens with reception
Attendees follow a drum line into
the exhibit hall.
Visitors to the exhibit hall enjoy a wide variety of food.
Mixing and mingling at the Sunday evening receptions
 Canadian nurses wave hello at the International reception held Sunday evening. |
 A group of nurses enjoy conversation during Sunday night's Managers reception. |
A warm welcome to Denver
Members of the AORN of Denver chapter line up at Denver International
Airport to welcome out of town attendees to the 2010 AORN Congress.
AORN President Patrick Voight stands with the
Congress 2010 Volunteer coordinator Julie Martin.
AWARD RECOGNITION
Jerry G. Peers Distinguished Service Award winner announced
Cynthia Spry, RN, MA, MSN, CNOR, was awarded the Jerry G. Peers Distinguished Service Award at the beginning of Monday’s Peers Lectureship. AORN President Patrick Voight, RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, led up to the surprise announcement by describing Spry’s many accomplishments, including being a 
former AORN President and an Award for Excellence winner. In her 30 years as a perioperative nurse, Spry has been published numerous times in nursing journals and books; has actively promoted international collaboration among perioperative nurses; and has been consistently active on AORN committees and task forces and in her local chapter and specialty assembly.
“This is an unbelievable honor to get this from you,”?Spry said. “You, who have shaped my life, made me successful, made me grow. This is truly an incredible honor and one that I will cherish until the end of my life. All I can say is, I love you. Thank you.”
The Peers Award recognizes an individual’s significant contributions to the growth, progress, and welfare of AORN.
Clinical, research, and evidence practice poster presenters win awards and recognition
On Monday clinical, research and evidence-based practice, and clinical improvement/innovation posters were judged and 25 were selected as winners. All posters are available for daily viewing at Congress through Thursday at 12 PM. Abstracts from the winning posters will be published in the June issue of the AORN Journal.
A sample of one of the posters that won.
AORN Award recipients recognized
Individual achievement award winners and the Award for Excellence winner were acknowledged during Sunday's opening session. President Patrick Voight, RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, presented the awards while Diana McDowell, RN, MSN, CNOR, Awards Committee chair, provided some information about each winner. The following were recognized for their achievements :
Ruth Plotkin Shumaker, RN, BSN, CNOR
Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing
University of Maryland Medical Center
Outstanding Facility Achievement in Perioperative Nursing
Loyce Jacobs McCullough, MS, BS, BSN(E), RN, CNOR
Extended Service Award
Stephanie L. Kefer, RN, MSN, CNOR, FNP-BC
Next Generation Achievement Award
Ellice Mellinger, MS, RN, CNOR
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Evidence-Based Practice
Marisa (Missi) Merlino, RN, MHA, CNOR
Outstanding Achievement in Mentorship
Renae N. Battié, RN, MN, CNOR
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Management
Monica V. Weisbrich, BSN, RN
Outstanding Achievement in State Council Leadership
Ann T. McKennis, RN, CNOR, CNOR(E), CORLN(E)
Outstanding Achievement in Volunteerism
Reuben J. DeKastle, RN, BN, MSHA, CNOR
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Clinical Nursing Education
Kay Ball, PhD, RN, CNOR, FAAN
Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Nursing Research
For pictures of award winners, go here.
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