Chapter Officers 2008-2009 

President: Eva Daniels RN BSN CNOR (2008-2009)

President Elect:  Linda Thompson RN CNOR (2008-2009)

Secretary:   Lisa Ryder RN BSN (2007-2009)

Treasurer:  Lorraine Heslop RN CNOR (2008-2010)

Board of Directors:  Above officers plus: Pauline Smith RN (2008-2010)
                                                                  Kim Cotter RN BSN CNOR (2008-2010)                           

Nominating Committee:  Donna Barber RN BSN CNOR (2007-2009)
                                      

Contact information for Chapter 3001 
http://www.aornnh.com

  Newsletters are emailed. Contact Lisa Ryder for e-mail address changes.  

   Lisa.ryder@va.gov

President’s Message

Greeting Chapter Members:  

Spring is the time of year to clean up, to brighten up our homes, yards and wardrobes, and to enjoy the great outdoors.   As the weather becomes warmer, the threat of severe weather increases and Southern parts of the US are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, including tornadoes and hurricanes.  Populations affected by these devastating events need help to recover.  I would urge you to attend the next educational offering which looks precisely at how a hurricane can displace huge populations with intense medical needs.  This program will feature speakers who have personally been involved in assisting the thousands of displaced people.  Hurricanes Ike, Gustave and Katrina will be highlighted.  If you have ever thought of volunteering to help, please attend this session to get a glimpse into the realm of a disaster help center.

The program is April 18^th, 9-noon at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction VT.  

The Chapter needs volunteers to run for office.  Please complete a “willingness to serve” form and send it back ASAP.  We are seeking a president elect, secretary/newsletter editor, and 2 members for the nominating committee. Please get involved; we need your support.

 Respectfully,

Eva

Eva Daniels, RN, BSN CNOR

President:  Chapter 3001 AORN  

 MEETINGS AND EVENTS:  

·         April 18 2009: Hurricane Relief: Volunteering for the DEMPS Program; VA Medical Center , White River Jct , VT.  

·         June 2009: Picnic, site and date TBA

Hurricane Relief:

Volunteering for the DEMPS Program

(DEMPS = Disaster Emergency Medical Personnel System)

• Saturday April 18, 2009
• VA Medical Center , White River Jct , VT (Research Bldg (44),Rm 103A)
• Registration begins at 8:30am, program 9-noon
• $10 per person at the door
• 3.3 contact hours
•  Refreshments provided
• Business meeting begins at noon

Highlights of the AORN Congress:

          Congress was held in Chicago , March 14-19, 2009. The theme for the Congress was “EMBRACE THE FUTURE”.  The St Patrick’s Day Parade was held on Saturday March 14.  150 members of AORN marched in the parade, carrying the banner

 “Every Patient, Every Time,

TIME OUT

                   Take Time out for Patient Safety”

Delegates for our chapter were: Linda Thompson (Chair), Roanne Rogerson, Lisa Ryder and Katie Steuer.  The delegates’ responsibilities are to attend the Candidates Forum, the 1^st and 2^nd Forums, the House of Delegates, and then to vote for the officers, board of directors and  nominating committee of AORN.

Total attendance at Congress included more that 5400 health care professionals and more that 3200 exhibitors.

Congress News was available all the days of Congress in a printed version (except Thursday).  Daily it was also emailed to all members.

Hot topics for educational sessions and posters included:

·        Infection Prevention

·        Pressure Ulcer Management

·        Surgical Smoke

·        Retained Objects

·        Management Strategies

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHAPTER BUSINESS MEETING 11/8/08

·         The educational session for today was “Organ Procurement and Donation”

·         There were 9 attendees.

·         Congress is in March.  We will be seeking 4 delegates soon.  The Chapter will support the delegates financially.  Delegates are responsible to attend delegate activities and vote.

·         Upcoming events include Congress in March.  The next meeting after Congress will be at the VA, topic is “Hurricane Relief”.  Specific date in April is still uncertain.

·         Lorraine Heslop presented the financial report; specifics can be viewed by requesting information directly from Lorraine .  Discussion about sponsoring a nursing student or new (i.e. < 2 years in the OR) nurse by paying for a 1 year membership in AORN.  Candidates should be submitted to the board by any member and 3 will be chosen to receive membership each year (June-June).

Specialty Assemblies

What do you know about the 23 Specialty Assemblies?  As you know, AORN offers one complimentary inclusion in a specialty assembly with AORN membership; however members may belong to more than one assembly for only $15 each. You can change your Specialty Assembly by calling AORN Customer Service. We have been highlighting a specialty assembly with each newsletter.  We have already looked at the Federal Nurses Specialty Assembly, the Orthopedic Specialty Assembly, Ophthalmology Specialty Assembly, and the Trauma Specialty Assembly (see previous newsletters).  This information is from the AORN website:  

Pediatrics Specialty Assembly

Perioperative nurses who specialize in or are interested in working with pediatric patients, ranging from neonates to adolescents. 
Purpose Statements

·          Provide a forum for pediatric nurses for networking.

·          Unify pediatric perioperative nurses and to enhance pediatric research and education.

·          Enhance communication among nurses who have similar work functions.

·          Promote safe patient care through the application of AORN's Standards & Recommended Practices in perioperative settings. 

Chapter 3001 Membership for April 2009

Standard         98

Associate         4

Retired         4

Student         1

Lifetime         1

3-year            1

Total      109

Verizon email addresses:  With the change of Verizon to Fairpoint, there has been a disruption in email accounts which is affecting the ability of the Chapter to reach some members.  Email addresses for the Chapter are downloaded directly from the AORN website.  Please change your email address at AORN and your Chapter announcements will continue.  You may of course still email Lisa Ryder with changes in your email address.  Lisa.ryder@va.gov