AORN President Mary Jo Steiert and ANA President Becky Patton celebrate the new partnership.

More than 12,000 healthcare professionals and exhibitors attended AORN's annual meeting, including more than 470 international attendees and a record number of first-time attendees.

During the busy week attendees serving as delegates for their chapter or for the specialty assemblies participated in AORN business during association Forums and House of Delegate meetings.

Developments from the House
Taking a stand on a range of critical issues impacting the association and the perioperative profession, AORN delegates passed a Position Statement on Surgical Smoke and Bio-Aerosols and also passed a Position Statement Regarding Criminalization of Human Errors in the Perioperative Setting. To read the statements visit aorn.org/PracticeResources/AORNPositionStatements. 

The delegates also adopted several bylaws changes including an amendment to allow AORN board, committee and House of Delegates business to be conducted electronically through conference calls and online meetings or other technology, with a proviso that the portion related to the House of Delegates may be delayed until secure and verifiable technology is available. 

The House of Delegates chose to defeat the much anticipated proposed bylaws change to alter the make-up of the nominating committee to include appointed, full-voting mentors to the committee. The nominating committee is charged with developing the ballot of candidates for AORN's board of directors and nominating committee each year.

New Association Leaders
On the last day of Congress, April 3, the results of the election for AORN board of directors members, board officers and the nominating committee were announced.

During the closing session at Congress on April 3, 2007-2008 AORN President Mary Jo Steiert presented the president's gavel and brooch to AORN's 2008-2009 President Susan K. Banschbach.

Taking time for recognition
In addition to conducting association business, Congress also provided an opportunity to recognize perioperative leaders. During the Sweet Success awards ceremony on March 29, attendees had a chance to mingle with award winners to learn about their work.  

Among the AORN members who received awards at Congress was Victoria McGreevy Steelman, RN, PhD, CNOR, FAAN, who received the Award for Excellence. Steelman is an advanced practice nurse and a leader in the application of research findings through evidence-based practice. She is also recognized for her national and international consultations on the use of scientific evidence to address perioperative patient care issues and, in 2007, was inducted as Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing for this work.

Vivian Watson, RN, CNOR, was also honored at Congress with the Jerry G. Peers Service Award during the opening session March 30. This annual award recognizes an individual's significant contributions to the growth, progress and welfare of AORN.

Watson, who also serves as AORN's Ombudsman, was described at the opening session by 2007-2008 AORN President Mary Jo Steiert, RN, BSN, CNOR, as someone with a "spirit that embodies the true meaning of AORN."

View a list of members who received awards at AORN's 55th Congress.

Education and Exhibits
Education was a central focus during Congress with a wide variety of education sessions offered throughout the week on a range of perioperative topics such as infection control, moderate sedation, quality improvement and management.

General session speakers, including Carolyn Clancy, MD, director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality discussed a range of critical issues that perioperative professionals face. Clancy discussed the future of healthcare and the move to compile usable data as part of broader healthcare information technology initiatives that can improve the quality of nationwide patient care.
 
Education was also offered on the exhibit floor where more than 600 companies displayed perioperative products and services. Sponsors for AORN's 55th Congress included:

Behind the Scenes: Setting up the exhibit floor at AORN's 55th Congress

 

Events
After days packed with education and exhibits, Congress attendees took time to attend evening events, including Denim and Diamonds. Hosted by the AORN Foundation, the fundraiser included dinner and dancing to the Gregg Young Street Band. At the event Mark Schroer, chair of the AORN Foundation Board of Trustees, encouraged attendees to donate to the Foundation's new capital endowment campaign, Join OuR Heroes. The campaign was developed to raise $10 million in five years for an endowment that will support AORN Foundation grants, scholarships and programs.

Electronic SPR initiative announced
During AORN's Congress the association's board of directors approved the development of an electronic Standardized Perioperative Record, which will incorporate AORN's standardized nursing vocabulary, the Perioperative Nursing Data Set (PNDS), and align with clinical standards, accreditation specifications and regulatory requirements to promote ongoing compliance and consistent patient care.

Read a news story on the SPR intiative in the May issue of AORN Management Connections and listen to a podcast with AORN leaders discussing the new initiative.

Learn more about activities at Congress in Congress News, published daily from Congress and look for post-Congress coverage in the June issue of the AORN Journal.

What's wrong with this picture?
Each year for Congress AORN creates a cartoon that demonstrates breaks in recommended perioperative technique. See the cartoon and find the 25 breaks in technique.