Perioperative time capsule

AORN Journal,  Feb, 2004  

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40 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

Education offerings for the 11th AORN Congress include sessions titled "Medical Effects of Nuclear Weapons," and "Defense Against Fallout, Chemical, and Biological Agents." * An article on asepsis states that some people believe OR nurses should wear pants instead of skirts, but until evidence shows this has benefits, this infringement on nurses' personal and professional dignity should not be encouraged. * An author says the process of work simplification can be expressed best by the formula [W.sub.d] [W.sub.d] W, H, W W. (ie, Why does who do what, how, when and where?). * The Journal reports that a study being conducted in England is expected to provide data on the use of more than 170 disposable items, including papier-mache bedpans.

30 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

According to "HQ in Operation," AORN now has 18,022 members and 218 chapters. * The "Editorial" quotes a nurse who says nurses are their own worst enemies because they allow nursing duties to be taken over by technicians. He says, "In 15 years, there won't be any nurses because we will have given away everything but the housekeeping." * An article promoting the benefits of preoperative and postoperative visits by OR nurses says they provide a means for continuity of care, reducing patient anxiety, and influencing recovery. * The Journal reports that insufficient personal and environmental cleanliness, long hair, and relaxed sexual codes have led to an increase in the number of cases of lice reported in the United States.

20 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

Several articles address the use of computers in the OR. The "Editorial" says nurses have lagged in their involvement with computer applications in management of patient care and education because many nurses resist using machines * The Journal reports that a new medication--cyclosporine--which reduces the body's immune reaction that results in rejection of foreign tissue, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. * An article on what is new in surgery discusses a number of topics, including discovery of a new wound hormone" (ie, interLeukin-I), noninvasive laser eye treatment, and the value of suction lipectomy. * An author says ambulatory surgery services now are offered in more than 1,500 centers in the United States.

10 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

The "President's Message," says nurses have expressed concern about job security for nearly a year. This is a dramatic change from a few years previously when nurses were in high demand and salaries rose to levels competitive with other professions. * The Journal reports that the number of homicide deaths in the United States is 10 times greater than in other Western countries, and one in 20 young Americans has taken a weapon to school. * A survey of perioperative nurses shows that nearly 25% have taken care of a patient infected with HIV at least once. * A "Committee Report' states that the AORN Board has appointed a task force to develop a database of elements that describe perioperative practice.

NEXT MONTH IN THE AORN JOURNAL

The March 2004 issue of the Journal will feature a Home Study Program about developing a fire safety plan for the OR. Other topics planned for this issue of the Journal include

* employee recognition,

* barriers to research use,

* stress management, and

* scholarship application.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group