Letters: Oct. 11, 2011
Perioperative nurses are patients' advocates
Editor:
CHARLESTON -- Perioperative nursing is a specialized area of nursing. The perioperative registered nurse works in collaboration with other health-care professionals including the surgeon, anesthesia provider, surgical assistant and other assistants. The perioperative registered nurse provides nursing care to surgical patients, preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively, often in the role of circulating registered nurse.
Perioperative nursing requires a unique and highly specialized skill set gained from dedicated training and education. As a perioperative nurse, I am responsible for planning and directing all nursing care for patients about to undergo invasive surgical procedures, and I serve as the patient's advocate while they are unable to make their own decisions.
While all other well-qualified medical professionals in the room are focused on their specific duties, the perioperative nurse focuses on the patient. By employing their critical thinking, assessment, diagnosing, outcome identification, planning and evaluation skills, the RN circulator directs the nursing care and coordinates activities of the surgical team for the benefit of the patient.
In 1979, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) House of Delegates approved a resolution to designate a day each year to promote consumer education and enhance public knowledge regarding our role.
Nov. 14, 1979, was designated as OR Nurse Day. In 1990, OR Nurse Day became a week-long celebration which focused on educating the public. OR Nurse Day is still celebrated on Nov. 14 and has been incorporated into the week. In 2000, OR Nurse Week was changed to Perioperative Nurse Week to reflect the broad spectrum of patient care services provided to surgical patients by perioperative nurses.
Perioperative nurses want to come from behind the masks and closed doors to let you know that our nurses are dedicated to working hard to protect you, our patients, when you are most vulnerable. We are your advocate. This year, in addition to providing superior patient care, we are also supporting the role of the perioperative nurse in each of the key recommendations of the Institute of Medicine's recent report, "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health." Join us in celebrating the perioperative nurse in your life during 2011 Perioperative Nurse Week.
Ramonia McCann
Spencer
Rein in health company
Perioperative nurses are patients' advocates
Editor:
CHARLESTON -- Perioperative nursing is a specialized area of nursing. The perioperative registered nurse works in collaboration with other health-care professionals including the surgeon, anesthesia provider, surgical assistant and other assistants. The perioperative registered nurse provides nursing care to surgical patients, preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively, often in the role of circulating registered nurse.
Perioperative nursing requires a unique and highly specialized skill set gained from dedicated training and education. As a perioperative nurse, I am responsible for planning and directing all nursing care for patients about to undergo invasive surgical procedures, and I serve as the patient's advocate while they are unable to make their own decisions.
While all other well-qualified medical professionals in the room are focused on their specific duties, the perioperative nurse focuses on the patient. By employing their critical thinking, assessment, diagnosing, outcome identification, planning and evaluation skills, the RN circulator directs the nursing care and coordinates activities of the surgical team for the benefit of the patient.
In 1979, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) House of Delegates approved a resolution to designate a day each year to promote consumer education and enhance public knowledge regarding our role.
Nov. 14, 1979, was designated as OR Nurse Day. In 1990, OR Nurse Day became a week-long celebration which focused on educating the public. OR Nurse Day is still celebrated on Nov. 14 and has been incorporated into the week. In 2000, OR Nurse Week was changed to Perioperative Nurse Week to reflect the broad spectrum of patient care services provided to surgical patients by perioperative nurses.
Perioperative nurses want to come from behind the masks and closed doors to let you know that our nurses are dedicated to working hard to protect you, our patients, when you are most vulnerable. We are your advocate. This year, in addition to providing superior patient care, we are also supporting the role of the perioperative nurse in each of the key recommendations of the Institute of Medicine's recent report, "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health." Join us in celebrating the perioperative nurse in your life during 2011 Perioperative Nurse Week.
Ramonia McCann
Spencer
Rein in health company
Editor:
It appears to me that the West Virginia Health Care Authority is prejudiced against Fairmont General Hospital. First they allow UHC to build a new hospital too close to Marion County, then they allow a new hearing for Highland when we thought that had all been finalized. UHC is trying to take Marion County patients. They send me literature in the mail all the time inviting me to use their services and listing the doctors that they have stolen.
My question is, why is the state Health Care Authority doing this and why is it permitted? Of course, it is too late to move UHC further away, but isn't it time to rein them in?
Harriet Bower
Fairmont
Learn more about preventing suicide
Editor:
Suicide is a national health problem that takes an enormous toll on families, friends, co-workers, schools and communities. Every minute of every day, someone attempts to take their own life and every 14.6 minutes someone dies by suicide. Though suicide attempts are not reported, it is estimated that close to 1 million people make a suicide attempt each year. In West Virginia the second leading cause of death in the age group 15 to 24 is suicide. We need to break the silence about the stigma of suicide and raise awareness within our communities.
On Nov. 19 the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will broadcast its 13th annual International Survivors of Suicide Day program to assist those bereaved by suicide. Messages For Hope with South Park Presbyterian Church will host a conference with healing programs, special speakers, and sharing sessions. All who have been touched by suicide loss are welcome. To learn more, please visit www.messagesforhope.com.
Debbie Cardwell
Charleston
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