A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Kathryn, L . O’Donnell, R.N

As our members know, it was the pleasure and honor of your President to attend the recently held kirst Annual Congress of the National Association of Theatre Nurses in Harrogate, England. As might be expected, it was an extremely rewarding experience for me and the two other members who attended --Ethel I. Wpst, former AORN President, from California, and Mary E. Morgan, Sec- retary of the Alameda (California) chapter, and nominee for national secretary.

From the first it was obvious that our English colleagues were thinking and work- ing along lines similar to ours, with some cwlorful additions which were uniquely English, and a few modern up-to-date pub- lirity techniques which we might well envy. The three-day meetings covered many phases o f medicine, including among others, anes- thesia, esophageal surgery, orthopedics, steri- lization theory and practice, and renal transplants.

One of the diff erences hetween our English rounterpart and AORN was immediately evi-

dent for their Presidency is filled by an M.D., while the Honorary Chairman is an operating room (theatre) nurse. Another difference, quite intriguing, between their sessions and ours was the repeated appear- ances of the Mayor of the city, each time heralded by his mace-bearer who added con- siderably to the pomp and ceremony as he made the introduction in the traditional English fashion.

Dr. A. A. Driver, the President, opened the Congress on Monday morning to a large and enthusiastic audience. The keynote speaker, Professor J. C. Golighter, Director of Surgery at United Leeds Hospitals, was high in his praise of theatre nurses, saying that they had chosen an opportune moment to organize, thus putting themselves in a position to speak with a united and authori- tative voice on all issues.

As the representative of AORN, I brought NATN delegates sincere congratulations from the United States and presented them with a gavel fittingly inscribed as a gift

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from AORN. The content of the sessions, which begail

after lunch, was similar to programs we might have in this country. On the first afternoon, a film “Developments in Modern Theatre Procedure” was shown, along with a lecture on hospital and theatre design in relation to the preparation of sterile ma- terials. Mrs. Elizabeth Mansfield, the 196s Johnson and Johnson Travel Award winner. reported on our 12th Annual Congress in New York City, and her stay here in this rountry in such a detailed and colorful fashion that I’m certain this year’s winner. Miss Hilda Fletcher of London, will be more than enthusiastic as the time for her tle- parture from England approaches. The dele- gates were also honored in the evening by an elaborate Civic reception at which the Mayor and Mayoress greeted each one in person.

On Tuesday morning registrants con- tinued to arrive and by evening enthusiasm was at a high point when the Annual Dinner was held for some 350 registrants, again much enhanced by the presence of the witty Mayor and his delightful wife.

On Wednesday morning, the annual busi- ness meeting was held with Miss Helen Scott Brett, Honorary Chairman, presiding. This meeting was alive with discussion of pros and cons on several issues of concern to all of us. Each delegate was given equal op- portunity to speak on the issues and the meeting was adjourned with the feeling that much had been accomplished to further the needs of NATN.

Tn the afternoon registrants were treated to an excellent film entitled, “Make No Mis- take,” preceded by a most interesting lecture. “The Law and You.” Hyperbaric oxygena- tion was fully described, with accompanying slides, by a member of Professor Kay’s famous research team in Scotland.

Our own Ethel West pleased the audience with an excellent talk, “Sterilization,” a sub-

ject on which she presented a wealth of ma- terial and much sound advice. The audience greeted her with especial warmth since three of their nurses had long before praised her many kindnesses to them during their stay in the United States when they had come over to attend AORN Congresses.

The closing address was most appropriate and timely. Miss 0. E. Copeland, S.R.N., Senior Nursing Officer, Leeds Regional Bos- pita1 Board, stressed the need for administra- tion in a talk entitled “The Work that Tells.” She believes that i n every sphere, in every department, administration is “the work that tells.” Regardless of what the workin:: situation, the basic psychological needs ol all human beings m w t be recognized. There is a need for a feeling of belonging, of secur- ity and self-fulfillrient. The extent to which these are met will determine the effective- ness of the staff as a co-ordinated team.

Thirty-two companies exhibited surgical equipment and products. Many of the names were easily familiar to us visiting Americans.

It was an especial delight to meet the Johnson and Johnson contest winner from Sweden, Miss Eiver Allden, a charming per- son who was going back home with the firm determination to organize an AORN in her country. Thus, the international exchanges of information and stimulation grow from year to year.

The attendance wa5 approximately 800 for the three days. When one realizes that the first group in England was formed only in 1961, this is a tremendous achievement. At present, there are 700 active members.

Mr. R. J. Brigden, Theatre Superintendent, Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital, served as Press Officer for the Congress. He and hi5 committee worked far into the night operat- ing the press in order to have the daily NATNnews ready for the members early each day. His performance as a newspaper and public relations man was of a highly liroleeional nature, indicating to the rest

8 AORN Journal

of us that it is quite possible for OR nurses to exhibit professionalism in disciplines other than nursing, which indeed we must i f we are to make our cause known and fully understood by the medical world.

Miss Beryl Lofthouse, Deputy Secretary of NATN and Theatre Superintendent at the Royal Infirmary in Bradford, seemed to have an overabundance of energy each day before the program began. She was seen at any time answering questions, putting exten- sion cords together and getting the sessions to start on time. Dorren Ayris, as Congress Chairman, and all her committees, are cer- tainly to be congratulated in having had the drive and determination to present such a finf Congress as their first in so short a time.

On Thursday, we spent the day at the Charles F. Tharkray Ltd. plant. We were taken on a very thorough and instructive tour of the factory. Instrument4. antoclaves, and trolleys are some of the well-known

products of this company. We were enter- tained royally at dinner, as seems to be the custom wherever one goes in England.

From Harrogate, a beautiful town i n which to hold a Congress, Mrs. West and 1 visited with Miss Lofthouse at her flat in Eradford. Still with much reserve energy after the Congress, i t proved to be most entertaining and rewarding, but exhausting, to keep up with her fur the next two days of sightseeing.

Ethel West and Dorren Ayris, with three other nurses, had planned a post-Congress trip to Greece. So after a farewell get-together dinner at the London Airport on Saturday, they left for Athens on a two-week tour. I spent the night in London and returned to Boston on the next day, with the firm con- viction that 1 would return to another Con- gress and to see more of England and its line people, many of whom I have learned to know so well.

I the mechanical equipment on your autoclave fails (as all mechanical equipment does, sooner or later) the YOU F someone wraps a pack too I F tightly, the

I F your the autoclave is overloaded, Back" yii The first sign of sterilization failure is a cool pocket at the CENTER of packs. Experienced nurses depend on Diacks to warn them immediately of this dangerous defect.

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