Perioperative time capsule

AORN Journal,  May, 2004  

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40 YEAR AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

The AORN Board of Directors regretfully announces the resignation of Virginia T. Rockwell, RN, the first editor of the AORN Journal. * An article discusses high vacuum sterilization and its potential use in the OR and central supply service. * "News in ORbit" reports that a prosthetic arm weighing 3 lbs and driven by electrical impulses from the wearer's nerves has been developed by Russian electronic technologists. * An article on renal transplantation explains that currently, x-ray therapy to the transplanted organ or graft and medications are used to suppress human immune reactions. The practice of total body irradiation of the organ recipient has almost been abandoned.

30 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

In "Speak Out," an author discusses the ways OR nurses can conserve energy to help ease the country's current energy crisis. * According to a report from the US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, the current supply of 777,000 RNs falls short of the 925,000 needed. * AORN's librarian notes that for the first time, "operating room nursing" appears as a subject heading in Medical Subject Headings, published by the National Library of Medicine. * An article states that tuberculosis sanatoria are closing at a rate disproportionate to the occurrence of the disease. The number of tuberculosis cases in the United States has decreased by 66%, but the number of beds available in sanatoria has declined 90% to 95%.

20 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

The "Headquarters Report," announces that the AORN Board has authorized money for research to produce hard data on the cost-effectiveness of having RNs in the OR. * In "OR Nursing Law," a reader tells of meeting resistance from her hospital in trying to introduce disposable drapes in the OR. She asks whether the hospital is liable for wound infections resulting from the use of linens. The answer states that using linen rather than disposables is not negligence unless it can be proved that an infection resulted from the use of linens. * The Journal reports that more than three million US children spend time in day care centers. * A Home Study Program addresses replantation for traumatic amputations.

10 YEARS AGO IN THE AORN JOURNAL

An article addresses detecting leaks in silicone-gel breast implants. * In "Clinical Issues," a reader asks when AORN will have recommended practices for laparoscopic procedures. The answer indicates that recommended practices for endoscopic minimal access surgery will be submitted to the Board for final approval and will appear in the 1995 Standards & Recommended Practices. * An article discusses a new therapy for ventricular arrhythmias--the implantable cardioverter/ defibrillator device. * The Journal reports that the declining number of recent high school graduates enrolling in schools of nursing is one factor contributing to the nursing shortage.

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