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Specialty Assemblies will meet the needs of AORN members
AORN JOURNAL
JUNE 1992, VOL 55, NO 6
Specialty Assemblies will meet the needs of AORN members
This column, which began appearing monthly in the October 1991 issue, is devoted to AORN’s Project 2000. I t s purpose is to keep members up to date on the progress of Project 2000 and its Project Teams and to afford them an opportunity to have questions answered in a timely manner. Members are urged to send their questions to the Editor, AORN Journal, 10170 E Mississippi, Denver, CO 80231.
M
embers of AORN work in a variety of settings and have a variety of responsibilities and special interests. During the past few years, members have expressed needs for more networking, education, and information about their particular interests. The Project Team to Develop a Model for the Association’s Organizational Structure recognized these needs and proposed the concept of Specialty Assemblies. The Project 2000 Steering Committee and the Board of Directors approved the concept. The development of Specialty Assemblies was announced at the 1992 Congress in Dallas. Kay Ball, RN, MSA, CNOR, chairman of the Project Team to Develop a Model for the Association’s Organizational Structure, said it is essential that AORN address the needs of nurses with specialty interests. Specialty Assemblies will address those needs.
Facts About Specialty Assemblies
S
pecialty Assemblies are formal structures within AORN that facilitate national net-
1358
working of AORN members interested in identified subspecialties or interest areas. Interest is defined by practice or position. Each Specialty Assembly must have a membership of at least 200 AORN members and receive approval from the AORN Board of Directors. The purposes of Specialty Assemblies are to support the mission statement of AORN, provide and promote a dynamic network, serve as a forum for communication, identify and explore patient care issues, address current trends and issues, and promote specialized educational programming. Members of Specialty Assemblies must be members of AORN. Membership in a Specialty Assembly is voluntary and can be selected by the member when renewing annually or at any other time. Specialty Assemblies are organized at the national level only and must adhere to the bylaws of AORN. Services that can be provided by AORN to Specialty Assemblies include (list is not all inclusive): processing of Specialty Assembly membership, dues collection, and fiscal management; educational programming tailored to Specialty Assemblies’ needs; space in AORN newsletter, Inside AORN; Specialty Assembly membership directory mailed annually to all Specialty Assembly members to promote networking; and scheduling of meeting space and assistance in meeting planning.
AORN JOURNAL
JUNE 1992, VOL 55,NO 6
Formation of a Specialty Assembly
Specialty Assembly interest
Obtain criteria for formation
Select core group of Specialty Assembly representatives
Send letter to AORN President identifying five core members
c c
Headquarters searches data base for Specialty Assembly prospects, sends out prospect cards
Core group receives and processes cards; develops objectives, business plan for services
Send formal letter to AORN Board of Directors for recognition
The process for forming a Specialty Assembly follows. Specialty education and networking needs exist. There is a minimum of 200 interested AORN members. The Specialty Assembly must identify a core group of at least five members who are willing to do the initial work to form the Specialty Assembly. 1360
0
The core group sends a letter to the AORN President requesting formation of a Specialty Assembly. The AORN President will instruct Headquarters staff to assist the Specialty Assembly by searching the data base for prospects. The Specialty Assembly must have a written purpose and goals that reflect the needs of the specialty assembly and are in
A O R N JOURNAL
JUNE 1992,VOL 55,N O 6
concert with AORN’s mission and philosophy. When the Specialty Assembly has a list of 200 interested individuals; has developed governance guidelines, purpose, and goals; and has identified needed services, formal application to the AORN Board of Directors is made. (See “Formation of a Specialty Assembly.”)
Assemblies Being Formed
D
uring the specialty discussion groups at Congress, several groups of members discussed forming Specialty Assemblies. Some groups already have expressed interest and are in the process of identifying other interested members. Members with the following special interests are working with the Center for Member Services to form Specialty Assemblies: cardiothoracjc surgery, ambulatory surgery, orthopedic surgery, RN first assistants, management, laser surgery, plastic/reconstructive surgery, educatorhtaff development, and quality assurance/improvement, total quality management. Staff members have conducted data searches to identify members who have listed special interests on their membership forms. These searches have been completed for cardiothoracic, ambulatory, orthopedic, RN first assistant, management, laser, plastic/reconstructive, and educator specialties. Postcards have been sent to members who identified those interests on their membership forms. About 17,000 postcards were mailed. The Center for Member Services will work with each group to identify specific needs, services, and costs. For more information about Specialty Assemblies, contact the AORN Center for Member Services at (303) 755-6304 x 274. JOYCEA. MERRIMAN MANAGING EDITOR
Patients Satisfied with Hip Replacements More than 90% of 180 patients who underwent total hip replacement in a 1988 study at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, reported they were satisfied with the pain relief, improved walking ability, and psychological benefits and said they would have the surgery again if necessary. The procedure reduced the percentage of patients dependent on someone else for their daily activities from 22% to 9%, according to a Feb 24, 1992, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons news release. The release states that patients’ expectations and satisfaction with results are important in assessing the success of the replacements. Study results show that 66% of the patients expected pain relief, and 91% were satisfied; 29% expected improvement in their walking ability, and 87% were satisfied. Nearly a third of all patients studied expected improvement in their psychological state, which included feeling independent and removing the self-perceived stigma of physical disability. All patients with “hybrid” hip replacements were satisfied with their results, 89% of patients with cemented components were satisfied, and 69% of patients with cementless components were satisfied.
Correction In the list of Project 2000 Advisory Panel
members that appears in the “Project 2000” column of the May issue, the name of an advisory panel member was inadvertently omitted. She is Jane Kuhn, AORN of San Francisco & Marin. The Journal regrets the omission.
1361
JUNE 1992, VOL 55, NO 6
Specialty Assemblies will meet the needs of AORN members
This column, which began appearing monthly in the October 1991 issue, is devoted to AORN’s Project 2000. I t s purpose is to keep members up to date on the progress of Project 2000 and its Project Teams and to afford them an opportunity to have questions answered in a timely manner. Members are urged to send their questions to the Editor, AORN Journal, 10170 E Mississippi, Denver, CO 80231.
M
embers of AORN work in a variety of settings and have a variety of responsibilities and special interests. During the past few years, members have expressed needs for more networking, education, and information about their particular interests. The Project Team to Develop a Model for the Association’s Organizational Structure recognized these needs and proposed the concept of Specialty Assemblies. The Project 2000 Steering Committee and the Board of Directors approved the concept. The development of Specialty Assemblies was announced at the 1992 Congress in Dallas. Kay Ball, RN, MSA, CNOR, chairman of the Project Team to Develop a Model for the Association’s Organizational Structure, said it is essential that AORN address the needs of nurses with specialty interests. Specialty Assemblies will address those needs.
Facts About Specialty Assemblies
S
pecialty Assemblies are formal structures within AORN that facilitate national net-
1358
working of AORN members interested in identified subspecialties or interest areas. Interest is defined by practice or position. Each Specialty Assembly must have a membership of at least 200 AORN members and receive approval from the AORN Board of Directors. The purposes of Specialty Assemblies are to support the mission statement of AORN, provide and promote a dynamic network, serve as a forum for communication, identify and explore patient care issues, address current trends and issues, and promote specialized educational programming. Members of Specialty Assemblies must be members of AORN. Membership in a Specialty Assembly is voluntary and can be selected by the member when renewing annually or at any other time. Specialty Assemblies are organized at the national level only and must adhere to the bylaws of AORN. Services that can be provided by AORN to Specialty Assemblies include (list is not all inclusive): processing of Specialty Assembly membership, dues collection, and fiscal management; educational programming tailored to Specialty Assemblies’ needs; space in AORN newsletter, Inside AORN; Specialty Assembly membership directory mailed annually to all Specialty Assembly members to promote networking; and scheduling of meeting space and assistance in meeting planning.
AORN JOURNAL
JUNE 1992, VOL 55,NO 6
Formation of a Specialty Assembly
Specialty Assembly interest
Obtain criteria for formation
Select core group of Specialty Assembly representatives
Send letter to AORN President identifying five core members
c c
Headquarters searches data base for Specialty Assembly prospects, sends out prospect cards
Core group receives and processes cards; develops objectives, business plan for services
Send formal letter to AORN Board of Directors for recognition
The process for forming a Specialty Assembly follows. Specialty education and networking needs exist. There is a minimum of 200 interested AORN members. The Specialty Assembly must identify a core group of at least five members who are willing to do the initial work to form the Specialty Assembly. 1360
0
The core group sends a letter to the AORN President requesting formation of a Specialty Assembly. The AORN President will instruct Headquarters staff to assist the Specialty Assembly by searching the data base for prospects. The Specialty Assembly must have a written purpose and goals that reflect the needs of the specialty assembly and are in
A O R N JOURNAL
JUNE 1992,VOL 55,N O 6
concert with AORN’s mission and philosophy. When the Specialty Assembly has a list of 200 interested individuals; has developed governance guidelines, purpose, and goals; and has identified needed services, formal application to the AORN Board of Directors is made. (See “Formation of a Specialty Assembly.”)
Assemblies Being Formed
D
uring the specialty discussion groups at Congress, several groups of members discussed forming Specialty Assemblies. Some groups already have expressed interest and are in the process of identifying other interested members. Members with the following special interests are working with the Center for Member Services to form Specialty Assemblies: cardiothoracjc surgery, ambulatory surgery, orthopedic surgery, RN first assistants, management, laser surgery, plastic/reconstructive surgery, educatorhtaff development, and quality assurance/improvement, total quality management. Staff members have conducted data searches to identify members who have listed special interests on their membership forms. These searches have been completed for cardiothoracic, ambulatory, orthopedic, RN first assistant, management, laser, plastic/reconstructive, and educator specialties. Postcards have been sent to members who identified those interests on their membership forms. About 17,000 postcards were mailed. The Center for Member Services will work with each group to identify specific needs, services, and costs. For more information about Specialty Assemblies, contact the AORN Center for Member Services at (303) 755-6304 x 274. JOYCEA. MERRIMAN MANAGING EDITOR
Patients Satisfied with Hip Replacements More than 90% of 180 patients who underwent total hip replacement in a 1988 study at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City, reported they were satisfied with the pain relief, improved walking ability, and psychological benefits and said they would have the surgery again if necessary. The procedure reduced the percentage of patients dependent on someone else for their daily activities from 22% to 9%, according to a Feb 24, 1992, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons news release. The release states that patients’ expectations and satisfaction with results are important in assessing the success of the replacements. Study results show that 66% of the patients expected pain relief, and 91% were satisfied; 29% expected improvement in their walking ability, and 87% were satisfied. Nearly a third of all patients studied expected improvement in their psychological state, which included feeling independent and removing the self-perceived stigma of physical disability. All patients with “hybrid” hip replacements were satisfied with their results, 89% of patients with cemented components were satisfied, and 69% of patients with cementless components were satisfied.
Correction In the list of Project 2000 Advisory Panel
members that appears in the “Project 2000” column of the May issue, the name of an advisory panel member was inadvertently omitted. She is Jane Kuhn, AORN of San Francisco & Marin. The Journal regrets the omission.
1361