Hundreds of members gathered Monday for the AORN Congress 2nd Forum open discussion, where members are invited to discuss any topic at the microphones. This year, issues of importance were wide-ranging, from DEI programs to chapter support to requests for AORN to provide more opportunity for members to provide feedback on clinical issues and needs to AORN leadership.
Some specific topics mentioned were:
- What can AORN do to help grow the pipeline of Surgical Technologists and help address the current shortage of surgical technologists?
- Consider consolidating more AORN business presentations into an overview and refer members to full reports on the conference app and the website.
- Consider expanding AORN’s work on Criminalization of Human Errors in the Perioperative Setting to address reproductive health care issues, and provide a tool kit to guide nurses in states that seek criminalization and/or civil liability for nurses who participate in certain reproductive health procedures.
- Find opportunities to showcase more of the AORN history and surgical artifacts with chapters and live events to inspire more members to have pride in their association’s long history and its impacts.
- Better define the role and purpose of delegates and chapter delegates today.
- Explore opportunities to incorporate CCI recertification points (in addition to contact hours) in AORN programs and educations.
- Share how other facilities and institutions are able to incorporate and promote DEI programs and health equity, especially if their state legislature bars formal activities on the topic.
- Schedule Leadership Summit sessions at times that do not conflict with Congress so that more perioperative leaders can take part in the business sessions – and gain better appreciation for the value of AORN and become advocates for membership among their staffs.
- Assist educators and managers in advocating for OR staff and the need for managers and directors of surgical services to have a perioperative background and clinical knowledge of department needs. AORN conducted a virtual webinar prior to last year’s Congress in San Antonio and has posted AORN Guiding Principles for the Surgical Services Director Role
- Consider new immersion programs and education to inform OR leaders who do not have a perioperative background. AORN is releasing new areas of focus for leaders as part of the new Center for Perioperative Leaders.
- Urge AORN to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of Time Out in June.
- In addition to chapter and AORN engagement, members should be aware of potential legislation, like that introduced and defeated this year in Connecticut, that would have barred vendors and medical representatives from being in an OR unless they are the surgical patient. It’s important for members to stay engaged and informed in order to respond to these types of bills when they pop up.
- Consider prompting AORN members to also join their state councils when joining or renewing their memberships.
- Ensure that DEI efforts include all persons of color and ethnicities.
- An ask for AORN to convene a meeting for Veteran’s Administration nurses to meet onsite and connect during AORN Expo so they can discuss their unique system and healthcare challenges and connect over the years.
- An ask for resources or seats that can be offered to Periop 101 preceptors in facilities who work with Introduction to Perioperative Nursing undergraduate students?
- Additional support for struggling chapters, such as providing regional chapter navigators or ambassadors. A Task Force on Chapter Engagement will continue under President-elect Nakeisha Tolliver to address pressing chapter needs and issues.
- Members should be active advocates on perioperative and healthcare issues – and take advantage of a number of resources available through AORN Government Affairs, ANA affiliate membership and state hospital associations.
- Make publicly available information and resources from The Task Force for the Care of Transgender Patients. President Pincus confirmed that AORN will make these resources available to everyone in front of the member wall.
- When advocating on its policy agenda, AORN should focus more on everyday practice issues that confront perioperative teams who are united around patient care and safety. Social or political issues must consider the broad range of values among membership and put patients ahead of any social or political divide. AORN Government Affairs publishes its board-approved policy agenda online at: Government Affairs | AORN
The AORN board of directors and AORN staff heard all of the member comments and suggestions for the work of the association moving forward. Members will hear more about AORN’s work in response to these discussions in the coming months. We cannot do this important work without the expert voices of our members on the front lines of healthcare.
