- Email: [email protected]
Is this Case Dirty?—OR Sanitation
West lndies
Guam
Jamaica 5901 Dorothy A Monteith 2 Breany Ave, Trafalga Park Kingston 10, Jamaica, West lndies
Guam 6001 Lt Richard A Bates 310 W Sunset NAS
The Philippines The Philippines 6101 Consuelo G Arabit UP Philippine General Hospital,
FPO San Francisco, Calif 96637
Taft Avenue Manila 2801, Philippines
Film review: Is This Case Dirty? -OR Sanitation Is This Case Dirty?-OR Sanitation is an excellent film thoroughly covering the subject with effective visual portrayals. The author, Bonnie Bruttig, RN, gets the audience's attention in the beginning by humorously depicting the treatment of dirty cases in the "old days." It is a reminder that such procedures are not considered antiquated in some of our operating rooms. The film then describes the three conditions that must exist before an infection can occur: an infectious microorganism, a susceptible host, and a method of transmission. Endogenous and exogenous microorganisms are discussed. The author answers for the audience the question posed by the film's title, stating "there are no cases that can be considered clean." A series of principles evolves to support this statement, emphasizing that infectious microorganisms cannot be completely eliminated-only minimized or reduced. Operating room sanitation procedures are aimed at (1) minimizing the number of microorganisms, (2) confining them to as small an area as possible, and (3) containing them to prevent transmission. The film then takes the viewers on a typical day in the operating room with a series of events that point out specific areas commonly mismanaged bacteriologically. The requirements for temperature, humidity, and housekeeping prior to, during, and after the surgical procedure are discussed. Sponge and linen handling, traffic flow, needle and suction content disposal, and instrument sterilization are covered in detail. An overview of terminal cleaning procedures is seen near the end of this 23-minute film. The author meets the objectives of the film
534
well-specifically to identify the principles for control and prevention of infection in the OR and to present a method to implement standards to comply with these principles. If awards were given for AORN films, I believe this film would win one. Is This Case Dirty?-OR Sanitation can be obtained from Davis + Geck Film Library, One Casper St, Danbury, Conn 06810. It may be rented as a 16 mm film f o r $ l 0 or purchased as a videocassette for $100. Pat Sneller, RN Audiovisual Committee
State nurses association meets union challenge The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is successfully fending off efforts by AFL-CIO unions to win representation rights for registered nurses in New York State, according to Margaret Rooney, RN, director of NYSNA's Economic and General Welfare Program. The American Federation of Teachers and District 1199, both AFL-CIO affiliates, have failed in attempts to decertify NYSNA as the collective bargaining agent for RNs in several facilities. Rooney said the unions' efforts to organize new groups of nurses have also met with little response. "Conventional unions simply don't know enough about the practice of nursing to do a good job," she said. NYSNA represents 28,000 registered nurses in collective bargaining. In addition to its labor relations activities, the association has legislative, education, and nursing practice divisions.
AORN Journal, September 1979, V o l 3 0 , No 3
Guam
Jamaica 5901 Dorothy A Monteith 2 Breany Ave, Trafalga Park Kingston 10, Jamaica, West lndies
Guam 6001 Lt Richard A Bates 310 W Sunset NAS
The Philippines The Philippines 6101 Consuelo G Arabit UP Philippine General Hospital,
FPO San Francisco, Calif 96637
Taft Avenue Manila 2801, Philippines
Film review: Is This Case Dirty? -OR Sanitation Is This Case Dirty?-OR Sanitation is an excellent film thoroughly covering the subject with effective visual portrayals. The author, Bonnie Bruttig, RN, gets the audience's attention in the beginning by humorously depicting the treatment of dirty cases in the "old days." It is a reminder that such procedures are not considered antiquated in some of our operating rooms. The film then describes the three conditions that must exist before an infection can occur: an infectious microorganism, a susceptible host, and a method of transmission. Endogenous and exogenous microorganisms are discussed. The author answers for the audience the question posed by the film's title, stating "there are no cases that can be considered clean." A series of principles evolves to support this statement, emphasizing that infectious microorganisms cannot be completely eliminated-only minimized or reduced. Operating room sanitation procedures are aimed at (1) minimizing the number of microorganisms, (2) confining them to as small an area as possible, and (3) containing them to prevent transmission. The film then takes the viewers on a typical day in the operating room with a series of events that point out specific areas commonly mismanaged bacteriologically. The requirements for temperature, humidity, and housekeeping prior to, during, and after the surgical procedure are discussed. Sponge and linen handling, traffic flow, needle and suction content disposal, and instrument sterilization are covered in detail. An overview of terminal cleaning procedures is seen near the end of this 23-minute film. The author meets the objectives of the film
534
well-specifically to identify the principles for control and prevention of infection in the OR and to present a method to implement standards to comply with these principles. If awards were given for AORN films, I believe this film would win one. Is This Case Dirty?-OR Sanitation can be obtained from Davis + Geck Film Library, One Casper St, Danbury, Conn 06810. It may be rented as a 16 mm film f o r $ l 0 or purchased as a videocassette for $100. Pat Sneller, RN Audiovisual Committee
State nurses association meets union challenge The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) is successfully fending off efforts by AFL-CIO unions to win representation rights for registered nurses in New York State, according to Margaret Rooney, RN, director of NYSNA's Economic and General Welfare Program. The American Federation of Teachers and District 1199, both AFL-CIO affiliates, have failed in attempts to decertify NYSNA as the collective bargaining agent for RNs in several facilities. Rooney said the unions' efforts to organize new groups of nurses have also met with little response. "Conventional unions simply don't know enough about the practice of nursing to do a good job," she said. NYSNA represents 28,000 registered nurses in collective bargaining. In addition to its labor relations activities, the association has legislative, education, and nursing practice divisions.
AORN Journal, September 1979, V o l 3 0 , No 3