Board members discuss awards, legislative agenda

AORN Journal,  May, 2005  by Charlotte Guglielmi

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The AORN Board of Directors met at Headquarters, Feb 25 and 26, 2005. All Board members were present, as were members of the executive staff. Continuing its work of reaching out to grassroots members and creating an agenda for AORN that focuses on driving the Association's mission and practice, the Board addressed topics that include new awards, specialty assemblies, the legislative agenda, committees and task forces, and other items.

NEW AWARDS

The Board approved a new chapter awards program that will continue to foster AORN members' abilities to celebrate value of the members, the medical community, and patients. The new process will facilitate creativity and showcase chapters' accomplishments. Two additional requests for new awards also were approved: one from the Congress Planning Committee to create an award that recognizes superior clinical innovation posters and another from the NeXt Generation Task Force to develop a Next Generation Award.

SPECIALTY ASSEMBLIES

Seven new specialty assemblies were approved that will be officially formed as of July 1, 2005. These specialty assemblies include trauma, plastic and reconstructive surgery, multicultural nursing, central supply/sterile processing/materials management, advanced practice nursing, general surgery/gynecological, and endovascular specialty assemblies. The Board also reviewed the preliminary work of the Specialty Assembly Futures Task Force, which presented a report during Congress.

LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

The 2005-2006 legislative agenda is dynamic and aggressive. A key focus will be assisting the development of AORN's grassroots network. The Board approved the following four legislative priorities.

* Keep the RN in the OR.

* Enforce and protect scope of practice.

* Yes to collaboration.

* State and federal legislation for RN first assistant reimbursement and emerging issues.

The Board also approved funding of up to $300,000 to support the agenda, This funding will include hiring additional staff members for the Government Affairs Department and providing financial support for local chapters and members.

COMMITTEES AND TASK FORCES

Looking toward the future, the Board approved the recommendation that a member of the next generation be appointed to each 2005-2006 committee and task force. President Sharon A. McNamara, RN, MS, CNOR, will implement this important step in engaging and mentoring our future leaders.

The Board approved annual reports from all committees and task forces. As a final step in the strategic planning process for 2005-2006, the Board approved the committee and task force structure, charges, and membership appointments for the coming year. Additionally, the Board approved a recommendation from the Academic Task Force that an academic liaison be appointed to continue the work of the task force.

OTHER BUSINESS

A motion that AORN endorse the "Statement on the prevention of foreign body retention" developed by the Council on Surgical and Perioperative Safety was made, seconded, and approved. Each of the constituent organizations is requesting endorsement of this document.

The Board also approved the "Standard for RN first assistant education program," endorsed the "Statement on principles and elements of a healthful practice/work environment" developed by the Nursing Organizations Alliance, ratified the election of the new AORN Foundation board of trustees, and created a three-member advisory panel for AORN Management Connections with one member to be a representative from ambulatory surgery.

The next Board meeting will be held July 14-15, 2005, in Denver. Suggested agenda items should be sent to President McNamara at Headquarters, 2170 S Parker Rd, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80231-5711

COPYRIGHT 2005 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group