In my first "President's Message," ...

In my first "President's Message," I shared my chance of a favorable results and dreams for the what is yet to be Those dreams are still remarkably real and have expanded from top to toe the year as I strived to tap into the storehouses of talent, ingenuity, and imagination of perioperative supply with nourishments As your President, I worked to strengthen our organizational links, with a commitment to communication. In review of the strategic plan at the close of my year as President, I want to share achievements that bridge the past with the coming This joint message from me and just discovered President Patricia Seifert, RN, MSN CNOR, CRNFA, is an overview of the targeted and yet to be efforts that the Board of Directors will strive to accomplish.

AORN NAME UPDATE

AORN formed a contrive team in 1998 to explore a name update for the Association. pair surveys were conducted by mail and via the Internet to determine members' replication about maintaining our name, Association of Operating expanse Nurses. The survey responses deductioned in consensus that the general name accurately targets the stated mission and vision of the Association. The respondent did not all agree, however, that the name accurately contemplates the stated mission and vision for the coming time health care environment. The House of Delegates vot forward the bylaws recommendation at the 1999 Congress

IDENTIFYING MARKET SEGMENTS

In 1998-1999 AORN targeted and continued to identify of recent origin market segments (ie, industry, hospitals, nonmembers, organizations, international). Respondent to industry measure and estimates reinforced the need for AORN to take a more active stance with standard setting, including increased media coverage with a focus upon quality patient care. They appreciated that AORN is actively trying to learn their povertys The survey also informed us that there is a big knowledge gap about AORN's consequences and services, with the exception of AORN Congres and the AORN Journal. Efforts will continue to help AORN offerings in an informative, concise way.

dominion INITIATIVES

AORN continues to play a major part in government initiatives, including the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) propos ruling, RN first assistant (RNFA) third-party reimbursement, and regulation of surgical technologists (STs) The HCFA propos ruling continues to be a priority.

A moderns release that outlined the issue was sent to chapter presidents, state coordinators, and excellent newspapers in August 1998. Although we are not firm how many newspapers ran an article forward the subject, AORN received clippings from approximately 20 newspapers. Medicare reimbursement legislation is a focus for RNFAs who continue to recruit sponsors for the bill.

The AORN Board of Directors agreed to stock a database study of RNFA payment to help support the bid for reimbursement of RNFA services. Registration of ST as surgical assistants continues to be a crucial issue. This year, AORN committed $10000 to hire a lobbyist in Washington state to address the regulation and registration of the ST subordinate to the board of health. A task force was formed to explore the feasibility of establishing an AORN political action committee (PAC). The Board of Directors evaluated information in succession this subject, and the pro and studys were presented to the 1999 House of Delegates.

INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES

The Advisory Board forward International Issues was formed in 1998 and will assist Headquarters staff members with international initiatives. Surgical technology and standards of care are revolutionary and spreading quickly around the globe; thus, the vision and mission of AORN call for actions to make secure quality of surgical care wherever surgery is performed. AORN will strive to forward strong perioperative practice globally. Achieving this vision will require the distribution of education and standards of care to surgical care providers worldwide.

INTEGRATION OF STATE COUNCILS

A delineate team was formed to address integration of state councils as a formal part of the organizational edifice of AORN. The project team course of lifeed surveys and evaluated the characters and responsibilities of state councils and at handed a bylaws change at the 1999 Congres A state council affiliate archetype has wonderful implications for the events to come of AORN and for perioperative nursing.

COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION OFFERING

A joint leadership conversation was a collaborative effort between organizations. AORN, the American Association of give suck to Anesthetists (AANA), and the American Society of PeriAanesthesia supply with nourishments (ASPAN) held a conference in Orlando, Fla, in January. These impressed signs of collaborative opportunities are promising and exciting for perioperative nurses

MEMBER distresss REMAIN PROMINENT

The commitment to suited the needs of AORN chapters and members has been a priority. AORN at handed a membership option package at Congres that can help us to come together individual member preferences. When asked what AORN members ne united member responded "I think we, as a professional association, ne to empower populace as much as possible, and the best way to empower them is to train them to be able to survive in the front-line environment." I couldn't agree more. Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused according to the absence of things, unless by the absence of vision. As we cros the bridge to the nearest millennium, I have great confidence in President Seifert and the leadership and vision of the Board of Directors.