AORN Congress Gets Underway

Update on Wednesday, 3/17: Happy St. Patrick's Day! Wow, Tuesday was a complete blur, so much so that I never had a chance to update my blog. If you're an attendee, you know that being at these kinds of events requires a very long day. But if you're both an attendee AND and exhibitor like me, then essentially it's a marathon session and it takes running shoes to keep up. Because I want to cover as much territory as possible, I schedule back-to-back meetings with companies in the Exhibit Hall, and it's a frenetic pace. It's my chance to see old friends and make new ones, and thank ICT's customers for their support of our publication all through the year. We couldn't offer the education that we do without their advertising dollars -- and that leads me to my plea for everyone at the show to please frequent the Exhibit Hall -- these vendors make these shows possible. Besides, it's a terrific opportunity to ask questions, see products demonstrated, and grab some great freebies.( Judging from the full bags attendees were carrying around this year, it looks like this was a good show for swag!) And thanks to everyone who stopped by the ICT booth -- we're so glad you said hello, picked up a magazine and/or signed up for a free subscription.  

Original blog entry from 3/14:

Hello from Denver, where the 57th annual AORN Congress is now underway. Last night AORN president Patrick Voight, RN, BSN, MSA, CNOR, welcomed attendees to the Mile High City and kicked off what promises to be one of the best gatherings yet. This morning I am looking forward to hearing keynote speaker Dr. Atul Gawande speak on "Safer Surgery: Reducing Complications and Disparities."  There are a number of interesting sessions to attend, colleagues with whom to catch up, and a gigantic exhibit hall to conquer tonight. To read today's Congress News, CLICK HERE.

Update at 12 p.m. MT in Denver: Sure enough, Dr.Gawande was terrific, relating the importance of medical checklists to real stories oflife and death in the ICU. His hour-long talk brought AORN attendees to their feet -- the enormous ballroom was a sea of applauding nurses, charged up and ready to take Dr. Gawande's words of wisdom back to their ORs. I also had the pleasure of hearing AORN board member and long-time OR/SPD champion Rose Seavey speak on the importance of upholding best pracrices in the sterile processing department. While so many of the principles are known by heart, this succinct yet comprehensive review was an important reminder of how SPD personnel are guardians of patient safety. You'll read more about the material from Rose's presentation in the May issue of ICT, so stay tuned.

Update at 2:30 p.m. MT: Listened in on a great session that updated attendees on AORN's recommended practices that have revisions for 2010. You'll be most interested to know that the surgical attire recommended practice now states that scrubs should NOT be home laundered because home washing facilities cannot remove the soil and bioburden like healthcare institution laundries can. As you may know, this RP is open for public comment through April 11, 2010.

Update at 3:30 p.m. MT: Just how many folks are at AORN Congress this year? Here's the scoop:

Healthcare professionals: 4,790

Exhibitors: 4,893

Total: 9,683

I can't be sure, but it certainly feels as though all 9,683 of them are ahead of me in line at the concession stand and then (of course) in line to use the ladies room!

Update at 4:40 p.m.: If you're at Congress this year, please stop by the ICT booth #1234 and say hello to the team -- we'd love to see you! We'll be passing out copies of the March issue of ICT which features the results of our survey of OR nurses on infection control imperatives and common breaches in aseptic technique.