Evaluating and Selecting Video Equipment for the OR - operating room

AORN Journal, Dec, 1999 by Jean Workman, Cheryl Vrabel

CONCLUSION

From beginning to end, we were in control of the entire process--a big challenge that was both risky and stressful. It required a lot of time and hard work; however, it was satisfying and extremely rewarding in the end. Furthermore, we learned that this evaluation and selection process can be adapted for other products, services, and instrumentation.

Publish an AORN Journal Home Study Program

The AORN Journal editor is seeking authors to submit manuscripts that qualify for AORN Journal Home Study Programs. The content must include comprehensive and detailed description of patient care activities, surgical processes, or descriptive patient care information. Content must described disease processes or surgical procedures, nursing considerations, and patient care. Examples of procedure-specific content include

* detailed anatomy and physiology;

* preoperative care and interventions (eg, laboratory work, diagnostic studies);

* patient and family member teaching;

* patient-specific (eg, age, diagnosis, specific procedure) needs;

* preparation for the procedure (eg, scheduling, equipment and instrumentation needs, patient care needs);

* intraoperative care and activities, including specific responsibilities of team members;

* postoperative care; and

* discharge teaching, expected recovery, and rehabilitation (eg, office visits, physical therapy, return to work, reportable symptoms).

Author guidelines can be obtained online at www.aorn.org, or ideas can be discussed with the editor by calling (888) 376-3244 or by sending an e-mail to BSGD@aol.com. Home Study Program questions are written by the clinical editor, but suggestions from authors are always welcome. Home Study Programs that have an AORN member as at least one of the authors qualify for the AORN Journal Writers Contest.

NOTES

(1.) "Recommended practices for products and medical devices--evaluation and selection," in Standards, Recommended Practices, and Guidelines (Denver: Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc, 1999) 293-296

(2.) Neoforma, Inc, "ECRI: A nonprofit agency, organization information." Available from http://www.neoforma.com/pd/index.html?Page Mode-Company&mfrno-188.

Accessed 13 Aug 1999.

SUGGESTED READING

Blanchard, K; Bowles, S. Gung Ho. New York: William Morrow and Co, Inc, 1998.

"Comparison of three chip and single chip cameras." Available from http://www.gordon-instruments.com/telemate. Accessed 3 Aug 1999.

"Judging picture quality." Available from http://www.terraguide.com/Quality. html. Accessed 5 Aug 1999.

"Luminance, illuminance, lumens, lux ... " Available from http://www.reefnet.on.ca/gearbag/wwwlux.html. Accessed 5 Aug 1999.

Masaaki, I. Kaizen: The Key To Japan's Competitive Success. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1986.

ECRI, "Video endoscopy systems." Health Care Product Comparison System (January 1997) 1-29.

Jean Workman, RN, CNOR, is a clinical nurse III, general surgery and gynecology, Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, Fla.

Cheryl Vrabel, RN, CNOR, is a clinical nurse III, orthopedic surgery, Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, Fla.