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Iowa State Assembly

Annual Meeting 08

Updates

 

AST Membership grew some more – we are now at 24,785 – at this time last year we were at 21,680 so that is an increase of 3,105 members or 14.3% growth. We’re seeing good increases in AST membership including renewals of membership.

 

NBSTSA is experiencing increases in the number of people taking the certification exam – they set record testing numbers for both the CST and CFA last year as well as record numbers for people renewing the credential.

 

ARCST has a new director and accreditation coordinator.  Hired as the Ex Director was Keith Orloff who is a CST and their new accreditation manager-Ann McQuiness is also a CST.  That is good news for CST Programs.  And there are now approximately 436 accredited surg. tech. programs which obviously correlates to the increase in the number of people taking the cert. exam.

 

IASA Numbers: (as of Jan 08)

261 Members in the state

178 Certified

55 Student members

261 Members in the state assembly

 

Iowa State Assembly membership has actually grown quite a bit: February 28, 2007 the IASA membership was 225; February 29, 2008 the membership is 273 – that is a growth of 21.3% and places IASA in the top 10 for growth, tied with two other state assemblies for 10th in growth. Per Kevin Frey at AST

 

 

From the AST Education and Professional Standards Committee: (Dana is on)

 

  1. The following RSOPs were submitted to the BoD and were approved:
    1. Bowel Technique (they really liked that AST is the first organization to address this as a RSOP)
    2. Eye Protection During Invasive Surgical Procedures
    3. Wearing the Lab Coat, Cover Gown or Other Appropriate Cover Apparel
    4. Laundering of Scrub Attire
    5. Handling and Care of Surgical Specimens
    6. Urinary Cath
    7. Sterility of the Underside of the Mayo Stand (another one they really liked that is finally addressed by AST as a RSOP)
    8. Wearing Jewelry Note: Board would like a standard added to this that no facial jewelry, including oral piercings (tongue), should not be worn in the surgery department.  
    9. Sterile Wrapped Items Dropped on Floor
    10. Surgical Scrub
    11. Surgical Drapes
    12. Creating the Sterile Field

 

The last 11 RSOPs will be submitted to the BoD to consider for approval during their June conference call.  

 

  1. The BoD approved the 5 position statements:
    1. Back Table and Mayo Stand Remaining Sterile (lively discussion took place on this one)
    2. Performing Dual Roles
    3. Harvesting Saphenous Vein
    4. Performance of Wound Closure
    5. Skin Approximation with Staples

 

  1. The RSOPs, position statements, and guideline statements that the BoD approved at past meetings are now available on the AST web site in the member section.  

 

  1. When the RSOP project is completed Karen will have CDs burnt and include a copy of the CD with a future edition of the monthly journal to every AST member has a copy of the RSOPs.

 

  1. AST will have limited hard copies of the RSOPs printed in order keep down costs and will have additional copies printed on an as-needed basis.

 

 

Therefore, take these RSOP’s to your facilities and get them implemented!!!! They will hopefully answer a lot of standard/scope of practice questions within facilities and that even techs themselves have. Extreme research goes into writing each SOP and they are all referenced to the agency or expert surrounding the topic. 

 

 

IASA Website Updated:

 

1.      All upcoming workshops available for download.

2.      Past brochures available for reference/download.

3.      Current officer list with contact information

4.      Links to AST, NBSTSA, ARCST and other relevant agencies

5.      Join AST and IASA right from our site!

6.      Bylaws are available for download

7.      Photo Gallery tab- under work

8.      Goal is to keep it more updated and a good source of information.

 

Cruise:

 

1.      MAJOR fundraiser for IASA to support legislation and pay a lobbyist (approx $15,000-$20,000 in some states)

2.      October 5-12, 2008, going to Cayman Islands, Cozumel, Mexico, Belize, and Roatan Islands, Honduras. Port of call: Tampa, FL

3.      Sign up before the end of April and receive a complimentary Carnival Cruise lines goodie/tote bag. Sign up today and get the bag and $25.00 in amenity dollars on your cruise cash card-which is what is used on the ship for any purchases made. 

4.      $700 per person/each room is based on double-occupancy.  Airfare separate. 16 CEU’s and it figures to be less than $100 dollars a night!

5.      Brochures are available here today with registration info. Please talk about the cruise in your facility. 

6.      Have currently sold 13 of the 50 rooms so we need to talk it everywhere we go. 

7.      Just to give an idea of the money that could be made for the state based on our profit if 50 rooms-it would be between $15,000-$20,000 for the state.

8.      Support the state that is trying to help you become protected legislatively!!!

9.      Have blocked a total of 50 rooms on the cruise which equals 100 people.  We currently have 40 signed up and confirmed.