IFPN NewsletterIssue 13March 2007 Click here for PDF versionMeetings Notes 24 26 April 2007 Victoria, British Columbia, CanadaThe IFPN Executive Board [EB] and the Council National Representatives [CNR] met in conjunction with the ORNAC biennial conference in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The meetings were held in this venue along with integrated international educational programming presented throughout the conference. EB meetings were held on 24 April and throughout the week to coordinate the work conducted by the CNR at the integrated meetings held during the conference. Open dialogue from all present was the general format of all meetings. In addition to the EB [7 members], the following organizations of the IFPN were represented at the CNR meeting: ACORN [Australia], 1 representatives; AfPP [UK], 2 representatives; AORN [USA], 2 representatives; KAORN [South Korea], 2 representatives; ORNAC [Canada] 2 representatives; and PNGPNS [Papua, New Guinea], 3 representatives. National representatives, as well as observers, contributed to share ideas, challenges, and opportunities from their respective organizations.
The IFPN discussed the challenges faced by this young organization regarding opportunities for ongoing financial resources. While the group has been somewhat successful securing targeted sponsorship opportunities such as guideline publication and endorsement of educational material reviews, difficulties continue to exist in securing methods of revenues that will sustain the organization over time. To reduce costs, the EB has planned to meet face-to-face for this one integrated meeting in Canada with the next to be at the AORN meeting in Anaheim, CA in 2008. As much of the work of the EB can be accomplished electronically, the cost-saving measure is congruent with the Constitution. All members of CNR are requested to assist with the identification of possible sponsors for guidelines, educational module review and endorsement, and online advertising in conjunction with the online journal.
At the previous meeting in Harrogate in 2006, the group identified the need to raise the profile and establish marketing strategies for the IFPN. A packet of information was compiled and distributed electronically to introduce perioperative nurses to the organization, its mission, and its important connection to the International Council of Nurses [ICN] and therefore the World Health Organization [WHO]. A CD of that information was distributed, as well, at the meeting to each of the organizations present. CNR are encouraged to share the information with their members to promote the work of the IFPN.
Members of the EB and CNR provided ORNAC attendees with information from around the world. Of course, the program that again drew the liveliest discussion was the paper presented by Kim Hepper, EB member from Australia on Counts. The discussions from all the programs provided the catalyst for many questions from attendees. Conference organizers shared with IFPN that the programs presented by the group were well received and given high marks.
The IFPN continues to enhance communication among our perioperative colleagues in various ways. The website will be undergoing a transition as we have moved our provider to an Australian company. CNR was encouraged to participate in the process to obtain a new provider by a tender process. Of the 3 groups submitting bids, the Australian company met the needs identified by the group to allow a more autonomous management of the site. President James Harrisons facility [St. Lukes in Launceston, Tasmania] has sponsored the set-up and annual fees for this year. The reduced annual costs should be easily manageable by IFPN. The address will remain the same.
The second edition of the International Journal of Perioperative Care, made its debut on at www.ifpn.org.uk last month as a free download, edited by Kathryn Schroeter. Articles were contributed from authors all over the world about various perioperative issues and concerns. All members are encouraged to contribute articles that provide expertise in the clinical areas or share ideas on improving patient care for the next publication in the fall of 2007. The deadline to submit articles will be announced and are to be submitted to the editor. We are excited about this opportunity to share knowledge regarding the perioperative environment through this medium.
Industry maintains its valuable support by assisting in various sponsorship opportunities such as the J & J Australia support of the formation of the Papua New Guinea [PNG] organization. At this meeting, our perioperative colleagues submitted their Constitution and became a full member of IFPN as the Papua New Guinea Perioperative Nurses Society. All warmly welcomed their members in attendance.
New groups, such as PNG, continue to provide focus for IFPN as the development of a toolkit for developing organizations has been completed. will be trailed with two other groups [Malawi and Namibia] prior to being made into CDs containing the vital information and will be available for a fee from IFPN. Attracting members to the organization is ongoing and all members continue to dialogue with groups around the globe to join the IFPN.
IFPNs collaboration with ICN & AORN on the cross mapping project for the perioperative languages [PNDS/ICNP] provide additional opportunities to promote the organization and enhance our value to the global nursing community. The communication from the ICN to CNR through the Secretary and the website provide our members with a link to keep the voice of perioperative nursing connected to the greater community of nursing and provide an overview of issues in the world of nursing. New this year has been the opportunity for IFPN to participate in the patient safety solutions surveys with the Joint Commission Internationals Center for Patient Safety. IFPN provided informational material to the JCI and has been requested to provide input on additional projects. Recognition by the JCI, as a perioperative resource, presents new opportunities for the IFPN .
Our Korean colleagues at KAORN attended their first CNR meeting in Canada. Their support and input has been a valuable asset to the organization since they joined in the fall of 2006. We are delighted to have these partners with us as we value the input of our CNR organizations all over the world.
Transition was also the theme of the meeting as the group discussed changing the model of the structure of the organization from a two-tiered structure to an integrated structure of 4 elected members [President, President-elect, Secretary, Treasurer] to provide the management of the IFPN and an integrated Board composed of the members [CNR representatives]. The Board will be composed of President/Chair of the member associations or their designee. The CNR present were enthusiastic about the proposed changes and voted that we work within our current Constitutional to enact the changes until that document is congruent with the new model. This highly motivated group reviewed the mission statement and changed it to the following: The IFPN will support perioperative nurses internationally to improve patient care by promoting evidence-based, best practice. Work began on the strategic planning with formulation of strategic goals and an action plan to create a plan to move forward. Volunteers from each organization were given assignments to complete in a specified period of time. Succession planning options were defined and the group agreed to suspend the current nominating process for this year until the new structure is in place and the process can be reviewed. The meetings turned into planning sessions with participation from all those in attendance.
The website and newsletter will allow all to keep abreast of activities as the group moves forward. All CNR members will vote on key elements of the transition on electronically as they are developed.
IFPN is grateful for the ongoing support ORNAC provided, as well as, the continuing generous support from ACORN, AfPP, AORN, and all the members of CNR.
IFPN is proud to participate with AORN at the World Conference and will host 6 networking sessions and the International Forum. Acknowledgement and special thanks were expressed for the opportunities to participate and involve perioperative nurses in a dialogue regarding issues from all over the world.
The EB continues to value input from CNR and from the positive outcomes of the meetings held in Victoria, and we expect to move forward with the plans for the future as a collaborative effort. The dialogue of the meetings was enriched by all present, demonstrating the value of the opportunity to come together.
Sheila L. Allen, RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA IFPN Secretary
All The Best, Fudge!Catchy title, eh? Wanted to get your attention to properly thank our outgoing Treasurer, Lesley Fudge. Lesley, or Fudgie, as friends sometimes call her, has tendered her resignation for personal reasons; so we wanted to let her know
how grateful we are for her service to IFPN.
Lesley has supported IFPN even before she joined the Executive as a member of the Board in 2004. She fulfilled our need for a UK person to serve as Treasurer when she was elected in 2005 and has served brilliantly in that capacity for the last two years.
During her three years of service on your Executive Board, Lesley has never failed to do the research needed [for example on trade-marking the logo], or the guideline or position statement written, or the development of the IFPN Code of Ethics. She has contributed greatly to our body of work accomplished.
She has utilized her relationships with our industry colleagues to assist with the development of endorsements and sponsorships that has supported our fiscal growth. Whenever called upon, she has shared her artistic talents with perioperative colleagues all over the world as she has created the artwork for the greetings and cards that have been posted on the website to be shared with the world.
Her talents seem to have no bounds as she shares her knowledge and clinical expertise by educating colleagues in Africa or wherever called to do so. Her management/leadership skills have been tapped into in her many roles with Friends of Africa. Lesley has shared her wisdom, her knowledge, her wit, her creativity, and her many gifts with all of us and we have all been enriched for having the opportunity to work with her.
In wherever her life journey takes her, we wish her all the very best.
SPOTLIGHT ON CNR PAPUA NEW GUINEA PERIOPERATIVE NURSES ASSOCIATIONDuring the recent IFPN meeting in Victoria Canada a motion was put to accept the Papua New Guinea Perioperative Nurses Society (PNGPNS) as a full member of IFPN. Following the delivery of their Constitution by Edna John, their current President, and fulfilment of all IFPN requirements it was agreed to accept PNGPNS as a full member.
Gratitude must be expressed to Phyllis Davis for her continued support of PNGNS as the Project Coordinator for IFPN, her personal commitment is immense and unwavering. IFPN is also grateful to Kate Woodhead for her vision as Past President for her time and effort in supporting for the fledgling organisation. Finally our gratitude to Johnson & Johnson Medical (Australia) Pty Ltd for their unwavering financial support to both PNGPNS and IFPN.
Development of the Organisation
On the 12th November 2004 following several months of hard work, Papua New Guinea Perioperative Nurses Society was officially launched at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port Moresby. A study day was held in conjunction with the first Annual General Meeting of the organisation. The study day featured Infection Control topics including Sharps Management, Blood Born Pathogens and Personal Protection with over 50 nurses from Papua New Guinea in attendance. Since this auspicious start the organisation has conducted another 2 study days and representatives have attended the 2006 ACORN Conference in Canberra, the ORNAC Conference in Victoria Canada with plans to attend the 2008 ACORN Conference. The next study day will be held in Port Moresby in November this year and the focus is competency development.
The aims of the organisations for its members are;
To promote and advance the profession and practice of perioperative nursing in PNG
To encourage the delivery of clinical effective perioperative patient care in any nursing situation in PNG
To formulate and promote its policies for its profession and practice in PNG.
PNGPNS continues to grow and develop. There are currently 50 full members and 2 overseas members of the Society.
There are many issues facing nurses in PNG, but the most significant one from a clinical perspective there is a very high rate of blood born disease in the community so infection control issues are always on the agenda. The perioperative nurses in PNG are to be congratulated for their achievements and IFPN is delighted to welcome them as full members.
AORN to host International Conference on Surgical Patient CareAORN will host its bi-annual World Conference on Surgical Patient Care in Seoul, South Korea October 1-4, with the theme, The World of Perioperative Nursing: Evidence, Practice, Future. In collaboration with The Korean Association of Operating Room Nurses (KAORN), the conference will bring together the worldwide community of perioperative nurses to discuss common practice issues, challenges and concerns, including leadership/management, clinical issues and infection prevention.
IFPN President James Harrison will lead several educational events at the conference, including a session on bullying and harassment, an international forum on a broad range of practice issues and he will facilitate two networking sessions.
AORNs 2007 World Conference is sponsored by: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Mölnlycke Health Care, 3M Medical Division, DuPont Medical Fabrics, Covidien, Megadyne Medical Products, Yuhan-Kimberly and B.Braun.
For more information, visit
http://www.aorn.org/Education/EducationEvents/WorldConference/.
IFPN STANDARDS & GUIDELINESThe creation of guidance documents for perioperative nurses has been one of the basic foundations of the IFPN. In the past, documents were created to provide an achievable level of practice for all who might have the documents available to them. Our members and those for whom the documents were created represent a wide variety of practice settings and available technology. At the meeting in Victoria, CA, the Council of National Representatives [CNR] discussed the importance of creating documents that would represent the "best practice" level of care for perioperative patients around the world. After hearing the diverse opinions and insights, delegates decided that to move the guidance statements to the premise of a defined best-practice, knowledge-based format would serve perioperative nurses in the most appropriate manner. With the suggested workplan for future documents based on that premise, workgroups will be formed from among our experts to address the creation of such documents.
REGISTRY OF EXPERTSFrequently, experts are sought from IFPN as resources for discreet projects, such as specific guideline production, input into documents for the Joint Commission International, and the Safe Surgery Saves project of the World Health Organization. At the meeting in Victoria, CA, the suggestion was made to create a registry of experts from among those present, to be expanded to include perioperative colleagues from around the world who are considered to have a particular level of expertise by the member organization. A document was begun at the ORNAC meeting, and we encourage all members of IFPN to add to the list of resources by including the following information: name, address, phone/email, and area of expertise.
IFPN AT WORLD CONFERENCERegistrants attending the World Conference on Surgical Patient Care in Korea are invited to attend the IFPN networking sessions and forum at the upcoming meeting. This is an opportunity for perioperative nurses across the world to share their views on similar topics and by doing so, inform your international organisation.
IFPN WebsiteThe IFPN website www.ifpn.org.uk , is currently undergoing a re-design to be more user friendly for our members . You can find information about the organization, application for membership, the latest meeting information, the only online international perioperative journal, newsletters, and documents from the International Council of Nurses. Any questions or comments may be directed to
http://www.ifpn.org.uk/ContactUs.aspx?contactid=1