for Perioperative Nurses, NPs and RNFAs
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February 8, 2009 Vol. 2, No. 2 |
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Need Answers Now?
Call Emily! |
Questions about RNFA
training, credentialing, reimbursements,
state issues, or just want to "talk shop" between cases? Call
Emily on the NIFA HOT LINE! She'll
answer your question or immediately
direct you to the right person for an answer. Call 1-800-92ASSIST, press 1. |
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Has Your OR Implemented a Surgical Safety Checklist?
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If you, like many RNFAs, have been trying to get your colleagues to use a Surgical Safety Checklist, there's now more evidence than ever before to back you up. And no time like the present to make it happen. The Institute for Healthcare Improvement has called for a " Sprint" with the goal of getting every hospital in the U.S. to test the World Health Organization's (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist at least one time, with at least one OR team, by April 1, 2009. AORN is joining the challenge. It all stems from a Jan. 14, 2009 New England Journal of Medicine article, " A Surgical Safety Checklist to Reduce Morbidity and Mortality in a Global Population," reporting on a study in which a surgical safety checklist based on WHO recommendations was implemented in eight hospitals in eight cities around the world. Use of the checklist during major operations lowered the incidence of death and complications by more than one-third, and the incidence of inpatient deaths following major operations by more than 40 percent.  Click here to access the WHO Surgical Safety Checklist. At the WHO website you will also find some helpful videos about how and how NOT to use the checklist. |
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RNFA Tips
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Would you like to know which AORN stories were top-of-mind for OR nurses in 2008? Click here. (Note: You'll get a smile from #8, "What's wrong with this picture?") |
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Do You Have a Surgical Story or Article for this Newsletter?
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 Here's your opportunity
to reach thousands of colleagues within the
field of perioperative nursing. This newsletter is emailed to thousands of
NIFA contacts each month and is also available to anyone who
visits us
online.
Send us your ideas for
consideration:
- educational
articles -
subject matter relevant to RNFAs.
- short
personal essays - a challenging surgery, funny
experience in the OR, how you learned
to work with a difficult surgeon, weighing RNFA
career choices (self-employment vs. working
for a hospital or surgeon), etc.
 - profiles
- if there's someone you think we should
profile, shoot us a quick email and let
us know.
Send your ideas to the editor, Julie Lancaster, at news@nifa.com. Thanks! |
NIFA helps fund
OR Management Education monthly as an
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIFA. NIFA does not give any express or implied warranty as to accuracy of statements made by our contributors and does not accept any liability for error or omission. It is the responsibility of all perioperative personnel to work within and adhere to their facility bylaws and individual State scope of practice.
 The National Institute for First Assisting (NIFA) is the nation's leader of distance learning RNFA programs. NIFA students receive over 54 hours of simulated skills, hands-on lab training at our SutureStar Workshops. NIFA's RNFA programs are CCI-accepted and meet all standards as set forth by the AORN for formal RN First Assistant programs, taking Perioperative Nurses and NPs to expert levels in the expanded role of Registered Nurse First Assistant. |
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