Specialty Assemblies
Robotics a new addition to SA
Minimally Invasive/Lasers SA expands to welcome nurses in a growing field
Today many healthcare facilities use robotic surgery or are considering the purchase of a robotic surgery system. As robotic surgery continues to grow in popularity, more perioperative nurses are being asked to work with the technology.
Due to this increase in nurses working with robotics, members of the Minimally Invasive (MIS)/Lasers Specialty Assembly (SA) have been discussing the need to reach out to these perioperative nurses and connect them to a larger network of specialists. The result of this ongoing discussion is a change in the SA's focus and name, now called the MIS/Lasers/Robotics SA.
The group chose to include all three specialties in the new name to make sure all members would be aware of the different specialties that are part of the SA, explained Beth Waterman-Hukari, RN, BSN, CNOR, perioperative educator/clinical practice support for Legacy Health System in Portland, Ore. and chair of the MIS/Lasers/Robotics SA.
"Our goal is to be a one-stop shop for members who have questions about minimally invasive surgery, lasers and robotics," she said.
Waterman-Hukari attributed the growing use of robotic surgery to a number of factors, including patient and physician demand due to positive outcomes reached through this form of minimally invasive surgery. But, "with demand, comes the need for education, management and the creation of standards," she stressed.
The true value of the SA format lies in our ability to connect with each other, whether we are talking about robotics, lasers or minimally invasive surgery in general, Waterman-Hukari added. "We are trying to get people to pose questions and bring their experiences and information to the SA."
This year, Waterman-Hukari and her SA colleagues hope to work toward developing a standardized platform to educate robotics practitioners. "Right now individual facilities are struggling to create their own standardized training for robotics. Why reinvent the wheel if our SA can share what a colleague has already created?"
Finding continuing education can also be a challenge for SA members, so the MIS/Lasers/Robotics SA council members will also be working this year to gather and share continuing education opportunities for minimally invasive surgery, lasers and robotics.
"Our end goal in including robotics and gathering information and resources for all three specialties is ultimately to improve patient safety and to address the ways that new technologies impact patient safety. The more people we can get to participate in the SA, the better chance we have of meeting this goal," she said.
Members who belong to the MIS/Lasers/Robotics SA or those interested in joining the SA can learn more by visiting aorn.org/Community/SpecialtyAssemblies/SpecialtyAssemblyGroups/MISSA/. Members can also communicate directly with the council and the SA by logging on to the SA's Online Community of Practice at communities.aorn.org/COP.
Read more news in AORN Connections.
Due to this increase in nurses working with robotics, members of the Minimally Invasive (MIS)/Lasers Specialty Assembly (SA) have been discussing the need to reach out to these perioperative nurses and connect them to a larger network of specialists. The result of this ongoing discussion is a change in the SA's focus and name, now called the MIS/Lasers/Robotics SA.
The group chose to include all three specialties in the new name to make sure all members would be aware of the different specialties that are part of the SA, explained Beth Waterman-Hukari, RN, BSN, CNOR, perioperative educator/clinical practice support for Legacy Health System in Portland, Ore. and chair of the MIS/Lasers/Robotics SA.
"Our goal is to be a one-stop shop for members who have questions about minimally invasive surgery, lasers and robotics," she said.
Waterman-Hukari attributed the growing use of robotic surgery to a number of factors, including patient and physician demand due to positive outcomes reached through this form of minimally invasive surgery. But, "with demand, comes the need for education, management and the creation of standards," she stressed.
The true value of the SA format lies in our ability to connect with each other, whether we are talking about robotics, lasers or minimally invasive surgery in general, Waterman-Hukari added. "We are trying to get people to pose questions and bring their experiences and information to the SA."
This year, Waterman-Hukari and her SA colleagues hope to work toward developing a standardized platform to educate robotics practitioners. "Right now individual facilities are struggling to create their own standardized training for robotics. Why reinvent the wheel if our SA can share what a colleague has already created?"
Finding continuing education can also be a challenge for SA members, so the MIS/Lasers/Robotics SA council members will also be working this year to gather and share continuing education opportunities for minimally invasive surgery, lasers and robotics.
"Our end goal in including robotics and gathering information and resources for all three specialties is ultimately to improve patient safety and to address the ways that new technologies impact patient safety. The more people we can get to participate in the SA, the better chance we have of meeting this goal," she said.
Members who belong to the MIS/Lasers/Robotics SA or those interested in joining the SA can learn more by visiting aorn.org/Community/SpecialtyAssemblies/SpecialtyAssemblyGroups/MISSA/. Members can also communicate directly with the council and the SA by logging on to the SA's Online Community of Practice at communities.aorn.org/COP.
Read more news in AORN Connections.