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Syms Memorial Operating Pavilion
APRIL 2000, VOL 7 1, NO 4 LETTERS
AFFECTIVE COMPEJENCES
I
read with interest the letters that appear in the February 2000 Journal regarding the article “Teaching affective competencies to surgical technologists” (November 1999). The discussion has been healthy, and obviously there are different opinions about this topic. In the letter from Sharon Corrao, RN, BSN, CNOR; Vicki Walterman, RN, BS, CNOR; and Gail Wozniak, RN, MEd, CNOR, the authors bring up several points that they believe are generalizations regarding the role and capabilities of surgical technologists (STs). My understanding of their view is that these generalizations are not fair representations of STs. After making this point, however, the authors proceed to make what I believe is an unfair generalized statement regarding RN performance and cost-effectiveness in the OR. Their statement reads “Although it is true that some perioperative RNs can scrub just as proficiently as STs, this attitude is not costeffective , . .” Generalizations such as this only cause barriers to effective communication and problem resolution. I am a director of perioperative services, and all my RN colleagues scrub as proficiently as my ST colleagues. This is because we have looked beyond the top layer of direct cost and have focused on the total cost and benefits that RNs bring to surgical patients and the hospital facility. It would be short sighted for
anyone to argue that RNs should The once famous Syms not scrub and maintain proficienMemorial Operating cy in light of the upcoming Pavilion [of Roosevelt retirement of some experienced Hospital] was converted perioperative nurses. It also into a blood bank and later would be equally short sighted to was used as a research laboratory. The land was evenargue that STs should not be part of a perioperative team in light of tually sold, and the sturdy the growing shortage of all health red brick structure was care workers. The larger and demolished to make way for an apartment building. more important question is “How do we deal with the multiple ways nurses and STs are trained I am pleased to report that to work in the OR, and how is this spectacular structure was this work supervised?’ AORN spared the wrecking ball and still needs to find a way to help our stands proudly on the southwest RN colleagues who have to comer of 59th St and Columbus incorporate STs who are trained Ave in the Upper West Side of on the job into their perioperative Manhattan. It was registered as environment. I believe this was an historic landmark in 1989. The interior has been converted the intent of the article, and it is unfortunate that the message was to commercial office space; however, the exterior has been not received by other educators who have already taken those restored to near original condition. The great glass skylight needs into account. WILLIAM J. DUFFY that provided light for Dr RN, MJ, CNOR McBumey ’s pioneering operations is now illuminated nightly DIRECTOR OF PERIOPERATIVE SERVICES from within the dome. EVANSTON(ILL) NORTHWESTERN HEALTHCARE CORP DAVID FOX
SYMS MEMORIAL OPERATING P A W O N
MD ATTENDINGSURGEON, DIVISION OF VASCUUR SURGERY
ST LUKE’sdoosEVELT HOSPITAL CENTER
I
enjoyed reading the article “The first modem operating room in America,” by Bette J. Clemons, RN (January 2000). The article was well researched and provides an illuminating vignette of this pivotal period in the development of modem surgery. I did note one factual error, however. Clemons states that
785 A O R N JOURNAL
INSTRUCTOR of CLINICAL SURGERY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
CORRECTION
MARCH 2000, VOL 7 1, NO 3, SUPPLEMENT,page 30. The author’s name is incorrectly listed. The name should read Fay Johnson.
AFFECTIVE COMPEJENCES
I
read with interest the letters that appear in the February 2000 Journal regarding the article “Teaching affective competencies to surgical technologists” (November 1999). The discussion has been healthy, and obviously there are different opinions about this topic. In the letter from Sharon Corrao, RN, BSN, CNOR; Vicki Walterman, RN, BS, CNOR; and Gail Wozniak, RN, MEd, CNOR, the authors bring up several points that they believe are generalizations regarding the role and capabilities of surgical technologists (STs). My understanding of their view is that these generalizations are not fair representations of STs. After making this point, however, the authors proceed to make what I believe is an unfair generalized statement regarding RN performance and cost-effectiveness in the OR. Their statement reads “Although it is true that some perioperative RNs can scrub just as proficiently as STs, this attitude is not costeffective , . .” Generalizations such as this only cause barriers to effective communication and problem resolution. I am a director of perioperative services, and all my RN colleagues scrub as proficiently as my ST colleagues. This is because we have looked beyond the top layer of direct cost and have focused on the total cost and benefits that RNs bring to surgical patients and the hospital facility. It would be short sighted for
anyone to argue that RNs should The once famous Syms not scrub and maintain proficienMemorial Operating cy in light of the upcoming Pavilion [of Roosevelt retirement of some experienced Hospital] was converted perioperative nurses. It also into a blood bank and later would be equally short sighted to was used as a research laboratory. The land was evenargue that STs should not be part of a perioperative team in light of tually sold, and the sturdy the growing shortage of all health red brick structure was care workers. The larger and demolished to make way for an apartment building. more important question is “How do we deal with the multiple ways nurses and STs are trained I am pleased to report that to work in the OR, and how is this spectacular structure was this work supervised?’ AORN spared the wrecking ball and still needs to find a way to help our stands proudly on the southwest RN colleagues who have to comer of 59th St and Columbus incorporate STs who are trained Ave in the Upper West Side of on the job into their perioperative Manhattan. It was registered as environment. I believe this was an historic landmark in 1989. The interior has been converted the intent of the article, and it is unfortunate that the message was to commercial office space; however, the exterior has been not received by other educators who have already taken those restored to near original condition. The great glass skylight needs into account. WILLIAM J. DUFFY that provided light for Dr RN, MJ, CNOR McBumey ’s pioneering operations is now illuminated nightly DIRECTOR OF PERIOPERATIVE SERVICES from within the dome. EVANSTON(ILL) NORTHWESTERN HEALTHCARE CORP DAVID FOX
SYMS MEMORIAL OPERATING P A W O N
MD ATTENDINGSURGEON, DIVISION OF VASCUUR SURGERY
ST LUKE’sdoosEVELT HOSPITAL CENTER
I
enjoyed reading the article “The first modem operating room in America,” by Bette J. Clemons, RN (January 2000). The article was well researched and provides an illuminating vignette of this pivotal period in the development of modem surgery. I did note one factual error, however. Clemons states that
785 A O R N JOURNAL
INSTRUCTOR of CLINICAL SURGERY, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS
CORRECTION
MARCH 2000, VOL 7 1, NO 3, SUPPLEMENT,page 30. The author’s name is incorrectly listed. The name should read Fay Johnson.