JANUARY 1999, VOL 69, NO 1 P R E S I D K N 1' 'S M B S S A (; E

Making our voices heard in the political arenas

n today's fast track health care arena, perioperative I nurses must be involved in

the political process. Nurses who want to make their voices heard have a variety of options. There currently are 2.2 million nurses in the United States.' According to Sheila Roit, RN, MPP, senior political action specialist, American Nurses Association (ANA), becoming involved in the political process to promote sound policy for nursing practice and health care is an extension of the nurse's role as a patient advocate.' The patients we care for deserve safe, quality care. As we continue to face political pol- icy on health care issues that affect nursing practice and patient care we must make our voices heard.

SHARING PERIOPERATIVE NURSING VIEWPOINTS

The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) pro- posed removing prescriptive lan- guage that reaffirms the presence of the registered nurse in the OR. This critical issue has not yet been resolved. The Association of Surgical Technologists move- ment to become registered is another legislative issue that affects our patients and practice. These issues require us to con- tinue to make our views known to state and national elected officials.

During August 1998, President-elect Patricia Seifert, RN, MSN, CNOR, CRNFA;

Executive Director Lola Fehr, RN, MS, CAE, FAAN, Board member Paula Graling, RN, MSN, CNOR; and I met with Virginia Trotter Betts, RN, MSN, JD, FAAN, senior advisor on nursing and policy to the Secretary and Assistant Secretary of Health to discuss the HCFA proposal. In October 1998, Seifert; Candace Romig, AORN legislative coordinator; Thomas Fletcher, MD, chairman, Department of Surgery, Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Va; and Cindy Brown, American College of Surgeons lobbyist; and I met with HCFA representatives. We were told the HCFA proposal and final ruling will not be decided in 1998. The Board of Directors, however, will continue to work relentlessly on this issue.

RECENT STRATEGIES FOR POLITICAL SUCCESS

In October, AORN hired a lobbyist for Washington to assist perioperative nurses with the issue of certified surgical tech- nologists becoming registered in that state. During the November Board of Directors meeting, we continued to make legislative issues a top priority and identi- fied other states that require assistance. This will require a financial commitment-a com- mitment your Board of Directors believes is in the best interest of nursing practice and safe, quality patient care.

I believe this is further indica- tion why our state councils

should become affiliate mem- bers of AORN. Legislative issues are the councils' first priority.

R U M P. SHUMAKER Together, AORN and the state councils can collaboratively lobby and affect health care issues. Together we are a powerful voice. Together we can accom- plish more!

PERIOPERA TlVE NURSES GENERATE SOLUTIONS

The need to control health care costs and improve quality will continue to be a pressing issue for health care providers and regulatory agencies. Nurses are equipped with the knowl- edge, skills, and tools necessary to facilitate an outcome-based delivery system. This is not an easy task, and it requires us to gain insight into data collection and assessment.

ed and changed from a process- oriented system to outcomes- and performance-based systems. These values are endorsed by those who measure and monitor quality, such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the National Committee on Quality Assurance, and HCFA through the Medicare Peer Review Organization. The movement toward quality in health care has

Health care values have shift-

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JANUARY 1999, VOL 69, NO 1

not changed, but the elements to get us there have.2

I believe that nurses can gen- erate solutions from their own commitment, creativity, and lob- bying efforts. During this time of

change, it is our opportunity, and our responsibility, to take steps necessary to advocate on behalf of our patients and the care we deliver. I believe we can main- tain and improve health care

when enough individuals place the quality of health care before all other considerations.

RUTH P. SHUMAKER RN, BSN, CNOR

PRESIDENT

N O T E S

rect combination,” Nursing Spectrum (Washington, DCBaltimore Metro ed) 8 (Nov 2, 1998) 18.

Register 62 (Dec 19, 1997) 66730.

outcomes into quality measurement,” Seminars for Nurse Munagers 6 (September 1998) 119.

1. C Mchemey, “Nurses and politics: Politically cor- 3. K A McCormick, “New tools-models to integrate

2. “Conditions of participation for hospitals,” Federal

AORN Foundation Hosts Gala and Congress Activities The annual Foundation Congress Black Tie Gala will be held Monday evening, March 29, 1999, at the Westin St Francis Hotel in San Francisco, to rec- ognize donors who have contributed $1,000 or more during the period of July 1, 1997, through Dec 3 1, 1998. The fund-raising and recognition Gala will be followed by a dance. Attendees will have the oppor- tunity to purchase individual tickets or tickets for entire tables.

The Foundation also will sponsor the following activities.

Foundation booth. The AORN Foundation booth will be located in the concourse lobby of the Moscone Center. Foundation staff members and trustees will be at the booth to answer members’ questions. AORN Scholarship Committee members also will be at the booth to answer any questions regarding scholarships and grants. Please stop by the Foundation booth to meet the staff members, trustees, and Scholarship Committee members.

Chapter and State Council Challenge. All chapters and state councils that have contributed to the Foundation during the period of July 1, 1997, through Congress will be recognized at the Foundation booth. The Louisiana State Council has pledged $1,000 to the Foundation and would like to challenge all state councils to match its donation. For those states unable to meet this challenge, they encourage state councils to consider making a dona- tion of at least $1 per member in their states.

Membership for Life. Every member who con- tributes a minimum of $25 annually to the

Foundation will be entered into a drawing of every 1,000 contributors to have their national dues paid for life. Drawings will take place at Congress, and you need not be present to win. Last year’s winner was Antoinette Morejon of Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Foundation will host a lunch for the 1998-1999 scholarship recipients and corporate donors. This will give the recipients an opportunity to personally meet and thank their corporate donor. This lunch will be held at the San Francisco Marriott at 1 1 :45 AM.

5K RunJWalk. The Foundation will sponsor a 5K run/walk fund-raising event for all Congress attendees, Thursday, April 1, at 6 AM at Golden Gate Park. Transportation to the event from the Congress hotels will be provided. The fee is $20 per person, which includes an official race t-shirt, and entry forms are available through the Foundation office. Anyone wishing to purchase a t-shirt only may do so by calling the Foundation. Any company that would like to sponsor this run should contact the Foundation for more information.

will offer Congress ornaments at the Foundation booth. A limited number of the 1998 Congress ornaments will be available, too. If you cannot attend Congress but would like one for your collec- tion, please contact the Foundation office.

For more information about the Black Tie Gala or other Foundation activities, contact the AORN Foundation by calling (800) 755-2676 x 8229 or sending an e-mail to tbarlow@aorn.org.

Scholarship Lunch. Wednesday, March 3 1, the

Congress Ornaments. The Foundation again

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