Perioperative Time Capsule

AORN Journal, Oct, 2000

40 YEARS AGO IN OR NURSING

One article in the September/October 1960 issue of OR Nursing stated that less than 50% of families have a history of cleft lip or cleft palate. This article also reported that physicians can tell parents their chances of having children with this type of defect. * In an article on heart surgery, one surgeon stated that when heart disease is diagnosed, adults respond as one of three neurotic defense types--security seeker, life avoider, or denier. * Surgical blades were available from one vendor at a cost of $15 per gross. * One hospital advertised an OR nurse position with starting pay at $5,800 plus benefits, and another offered living accommodations at a cost of $25 per month.

30 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

According to one article, when planning an OR suite, the first consideration should be the number and type of ORs needed. Forecasting future needs was recommended because years pass between the planning and actual occupancy. * One author recommended supervisory development training for OR supervisors, as education for the position was rather informal at the time. * According to another article, two major problems in maintaining asepsis in the OR were bacteria and viruses. * The column "News in ORbit" reported that Pan Am World Airways had established the first no smoking section in its airplanes. American Airlines was considering establishing such sections as well.

20 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

A survey conducted by the Health Care Financing Administration showed that 16% of hospitals used licensed practical nurses and 12% used OR technicians to circulate in the OR. * Researchers predicted that health maintenance organization enrollment would reach 24 million by 1990. * Several articles dealt with the subject of burnout, the extent to which workers become separated from the meaning of their work resulting in a condition of severe exhaustion. * One article told of a nurse creating and implementing an OR nursing elective credit course for baccalaureate students, as curriculum changes had deleted most traditional clinical nursing rotations.

10 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

As of July 31, 1990, AORN had 45,642 members, 43,263 of which were women and 2,000 of which were men. Only 728 members were under the age of 25. * In 1979, the AORN House of Delegates established OR Nurse Day, and, in 1990, the Board of Directors approved OR Nurse Week. The theme for 1990 was "Insight into the OR." * One article detailed the rising prevalance of laser laparoscopic cholecystectomy, an alternative to traditional cholecystectomy, and discussed introducing the procedure to OR staff members. * The "Recommended practices for surgical hand scrubs" appeared in the October 1990 AORN Journal.

NEXT MONTH IN THE AORN JOURNAL

The November 2000 AORN Journal will feature an article detailing how to minimize preoperative anxiety with alternative caring and healing therapies. A Home Study will review procedures to protect forensic evidence when caring for trauma patients. Additional stories will cover

* redesign of the medication and supply distribution system in a day surgery center,

* measuring outcomes when patients are discharged from the OR, and

* perioperative documentation in Finland.