Perioperative time capsule

AORN Journal, March, 2004

40 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

Texas AORN members are pictured dressed in authentic cowgirl outfits to serve as hostesses ha the "Hoss-pitality Corral" at AORN's 11th Congress in Dallas. * An author writing about collaboration in the OR says, "Almost universally, the doctor-nurse relationship is one of mutual respect, and as a result of good relationships, countless problems, expectations, and judgments in the best interest of patient care are brought to the fore." * An article about the use of depilatory cream says that the origins of hair removal for surgery are obscure, but accounts of shaving appear in Italy as early as 300 BC. * An author writes about her experiences as a circulating nurse in the OR on the day she heard President Kennedy had been shot.

30 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

An article says kidney transplantations are considered effective treatment for some patients, but other organ transplantations, including those for heart liver, king, and pancreas, have less encouraging results and must be considered experimental. * A physician says that about 50% of all pediatric procedures could be done on an ambulatory basis. * An article on colonoscopy states that the perfect colonoscope has not been developed yet, but available models are adequate. * The Journal reports that Nevada is the first state to legalize the independent practice of acupuncture. Licensure is restricted to those who can pass a board examination, have practiced at least 10 years, and hold a license from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, or the People's Republic of China.

20 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

An article tells OR nurses how to implement a perioperative nursing program in their facilities. * The Journal reports on an increased incidence of cancer, particularly leukemia, in Utah residents who lived downwind from the Nevada nuclear test sites between 1951 and 1962. * The author of an opinion article recounts how she searched greeting card stores for cards that depicted negative images of nurses and then wrote a letter of complaint to the card manufacturer. Nurses were most often portrayed as either sex objects or battle-axes on the greeting cards. * "Legislation" reports that nurses are a more dedicated group of voters than most, and an estimated one in 40 voters is a nurse.

10 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

A draft of AORN's proposed recommended practices for use of the pneumatic tourniquet is published. * An article on health care reform states that President Clinton's plan will place surgeons at potential financial risk for the total cost of surgical services. Physicians may, therefore, forgo using first assistants or employ the least costly professionals to assist in surgery. * The Journal reports on a study that says gay and lesbian individuals have been discriminated against in health care settings because of the AIDS epidemic, but homophobia has decreased slightly among nurses. * An author says that society has I become increasingly litigious, and 80% to 85% of all negligence claims are hospital based.

NEXT MONTH IN THE AORN JOURNAL

The April 2004 issue of the Journal will focus on safety, and it will have recommended practices for laser safety. Other topics planned for this issue include

* patients with smallpox,

* device reprocessing,

* orthopedic surgery, and

* building a safer OR.