AORN OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

As the summer sped by I have been busy dreaming up ways to help our chapter be of more interest to all. I have been receiving a plethora of information from headquarters, which (I hope) will help tremendously. For now, think of getting involved with the chapter and maybe being a delegate to the 55th Congress in Anaheim , CA March 30-April 3 2008. They are taking reservations at the hotels already and we can seat 4 delegates and 4 alternates. Check the web site fro more information, aorn@infromz.net.

We have a new slate of officers! Congratulations to all, and welcome new members! I am looking forward to seeing you all at the meetings and working with the new board.

Our first educational offering will be held at APD in the Dwinnell Room on Saturday October 13^th. The subject will be about Advanced Neuromodulation Systems, covering concepts, neuroanatomy, patient selection, patient education and management. I am working on having this approved for 4 contact hours. More to follow.

Thank you for your support. I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall

Respectfully,

Roanne

MEETINGS AND EVENTS:

October 13: Advanced Neuromodulation Systems presented by Beth Collins RN BSN; Alice Peck Day Hospital, Lebanon NH
November 2-3: Innovative Changes: Keeping Pace in the Perioperative Setting. (Same Day Program Conference 2007) DHMC, Lebanon NH .
December 1: Topic TBA, VAMC in White River Junction VT
March 30-April 3: AORN Congress, Anaheim CA

Advanced Neuromodulation Systems

· Saturday October 13 2007

· Dwinell Room at Harvest Hill, Alice Peck Day Hospital

· Registration begins at 7:30am, program 8-noon

· $10 per person at the door

· 4 Contact hours

· Refreshments available

· Chapter business meeting to follow educational session

Life in an Iraqi OR

On Saturday May 5 2007, at Concord Hospital in Concord NH Kurt Rhynhart MD presented an extraordinary photographic glimpse into his experience in Iraq at a field hospital on the grounds of the infamous Abu Ghraib prison. With only 2 OR beds available, he and his colleagues treated detainees at the prison plus civilian men, women and children. Obstacles to care were enormous, including the lack of interpreters, security issues, cultural differences and lack of supplies. Mortars exploded nearby on a daily basis and the injuries that were treated at this tiny OR were often horrific. Dr Rhynhart noted that they did thousands of skin grafts, many amputations, ex-fixation of fractures and wound management. Wound vacs were often used. This tiny OR did >900 operations in 6 months. He stated it was an amazing experience and would return to work there in a heartbeat.

There were 12 participants.

Many thanks to Dr Rhynhart for his amazing talk. Thanks also to Mike Aube for coordinating this event.

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. We will explore them in this and upcoming newsletters. We’ll start with one that recently underwent a name change. This is from the AORN website:

Federal Nurses Specialty Assembly

2008-2009 Specialty Assembly Coordinating Council elections: Members interested in filling a vacant chair position on the council should submit their information to AORN by filling out a Willingness-to-Serve form. Deadline to submit a form is October 19, 2007.

Overview
This assembly will be of interest to those who serve in active or reserve roles in the military, work in VA facilities or other government agencies.

History
In July of 2004, the AORN Board of Directors approved the formation the Military/Government Specialty Assembly. The rationale for the formation included a need for AORN to identify or communicate efficiently with Perioperative nurses who are serving in the military. Throughout the Armed Forces, Perioperative nurses do not have a method to network with each other or other branches of the service. Civilian nurses who work in government or military facilities have similar issues to military nurses. In 2007, the members elected to change the name of the group to Federal Nurses Specialty Assembly to encompass all of the members of this specialty.

Purpose Statements

Collaborate with other branches of military nursing.
Network among civilian nurses who work in military hospitals.
Provide a forum for nurses who work in military, VA, or state government facilities.
Enhance communication among nurses who practice in Perioperative settings within government-based facilities.
Promote safe patient care through the application of AORN Standards & Recommended Practices in Perioperative settings within government-based facilities.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHAPTER BUSINESS MEETING 6/11/07

Ø 13 members and guests present

Ø Results of the ballots were revealed; President elect: Phyllis Barrell; Secretary: Lisa Ryder; Board of Directors: Greg Moore; and Nominating Committee: Donna Barber.

Ø Meeting schedule for the upcoming year was discussed

Chapter 3001 Membership for September 2007

Member Type	Count
Standard Member	111
Retired Member	2
Student Member	1
Associate Member	2
Facility Member - 1 Year	1

Total Members	117

Is the smell of cigarettes the same as secondhand smoke?

· Secondhand smoke is defined as the combination of side stream smoke, which comes from the burning end of a cigarette, and mainstream smoke, which is smoke exhaled by the smoker.

· Secondhand smoke increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory problems and possibly cancers of the cervix, breast, and bladder.

· In children, it’s been linked to middle ear infections, bronchitis, and asthma.

· Exposure in the womb is associated with low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome.

· More than 250 chemicals in secondhand smoke are known to be toxic or carcinogenic. They can linger in the air as gases or particles and may be absorbed through the nose, mouth or skin.

· In June 2006, the Surgeon General issued a report, The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke, which concluded that there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. It also stated that cleaning the air or ventilating buildings cannot completely eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.

· Banning smoking in indoor spaces is the only way to fully protect nonsmokers.

Mark your calendar to attend our October 13th meeting!