ASPAN Safety Committee:

What is ASPAN doing for you?

 

Year 2006 was our first year as a formal committee. Our thanks to the ASPAN Representative Assembly who approved our existence as a committee.  As chair

of this committee, we have been doing a lot of things. Here are some of our activities:

 

1. We have completed a safety culture study in the Perianesthesia settings.

    Some of you may have participated. This had two phase research study. The pilot study article has been submitted to JOPAN publication and the other one

    will follow. Our research abstracts have been sent to Sigma The Tau, an International organization, to do poster presentations and we are waiting for

    their acceptance.  Our research findings will be incorporated in our standards, education, and provide further basis for more research.

2. Breathline: We created a safety corner.

    We have published two articles on SBAR reporting and IV promethazine. Plans are to have an article in every issue.  If there is a safety issue that you

    want us to publish, please send me an e-mail: dinaak@verizon.net.

3. ASPAN National Conference: We will have a safety panel presentation.

    I will also have a lecture on "Safety: Fix it Before it Breaks".

4. ASPAN Safety Seminar (one day seminar): We are doing our 1st pilot presentation in March 2007 in White Plains, NY.  Pending upon the evaluation of

    attendees, we hope to build this up and make it a regular ASPAN Seminar.

 

Our plans for the future include a Safety Resource Manual, Safety Book and more research studies.  Furthermore, we are very fortunate to be a member of the Council of Surgical and Perioperative Safety.

This Council represents the American College of Surgeons, American Society of Anesthesiology, American Association of Nurse Anesthetist, AORN, American Association of Surgical Physician Assistance, Association of Surgical Technologist and ASPAN.  I represent ASPAN in this Council and I address our safety issues as an organization.

 

We have so many opportunities to address our safety issues from bedside to leadership. Please send me your suggestions and recommendations because each of you represent ASPAN too.  Let me know how ASPAN can serve you better.

 

Dina Krenzischek, MAS, RN, CPAN

ASPAN Safety Chair

ASPAN Past President

dinaak@verizon.net