Redenta C. Mamaclay, RN

In time for the Christmas season and the upcoming New Year the Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippine (ORNAP) Inc did a community outreach activity at the Philippine Orthopedic Center in Banaue Quezon City as part of the organizations social commitment and also to acknowledge God’s graces and blessing that he has showered upon the Organization. Fifty-eight patients at the Children Ward received assorted gifts such as toys, candies and chocolates to brighten the spirit of the children admitted at the Hospital . The activity was headed by the ever energetic President Ms. Marilyn A. Aro, R.N. together with the ORNAP officers Vice-President: Cathline D. Avellano, R.N., Assistant Secretary: Flor P. Burgos, R.N., M.A.N., Ed. D., Treasurer: Cecilia L. Amontos, R.N., M.A.N., Assistant Treasurer: Jeovie F. Joya, R.N., P.R.O: Maria Cecilia G. Gatchalian, R.N. and Board Member: Redenta C. Mamaclay, R.N.
After the gift giving, the Board of Directors proceeded to East Avenue Medical Center (Board Room) for the first advisory meeting. Past President were also present to grace the occasion namely: Ms. Teresita F. Artuz, Mr. Rony Fajilagutan, Ms. Evelyn P. Gaffud, Mr. Joseph T. Gatchalian, Sister Ester Anna Virginia Magpily, S. Spd, Sister Ellen Perez and Mr. Antonio Valera.
And finally the ORNAP officers and past president had their Christmas Party  held at the same venue.

Maricar M. De Paz, RN

The Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines (ORNAP) officers attended the Strategic Planning Workshop last September 27, 2008 at the Johnson & Johnson head office in Paranaque. The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Ruth M. Nicolas, the Marketing Director of Ethicon Asia Pacific.
One of the main and important topics of the said lecture-workshop was Strategic Planning, It involves systematic approach to a decision making and determining the direction in which an organization should be headed. It clearly defines the purpose of the organizations and it established realistic goals and objectives, consistent with the organizations mission in a defined time frame within the organizations capacity for implementation. Furthermore it brings everyone’s best and most of the reasoned, efforts in building a consensus about where an organization is going.
In lecture-workshop plays a vital role to each one of us who attended this day session. Specifically, the course is intended to equip participants with the skills that will enable us to practice with a sound mind decision making. They introduced to the officers of the organization the SWOT/TOWS ANALYSIS. In this analysis workshop officers identify the strength, opportunities, weakness and threats in having a strategic planning, certainly, during the SWOT/TOWS ANALYSIS workshop all of the officers participated in creating goals and objectives that lead to a systematic and organized ACTION PLAN and which can be utilized for the improvement and strengthening of our organization.
The next time you come across hearing TOWS which commonly known as the SWOT analysis; just consider it is a battle plan for organizations aimed at making a statement and complete turnaround.  Having effective organization management, the organization most know the strength, opportunities, weaknesses and threats in order to form proper planning and strategy formulation. Without it, Organization will end up groping for from since their organization will most likely have no system in place, will have no goals or focus on what the proper purpose of the organization existence is all about.

Maria Cecilia G. Gatchalian, RN

Last December 13, 2008 at the Batangas Country Club, the Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines (ORNAP) held its Inauguration of the 1st ORNAP Batangas Chapter with the induction of its newly-elected officers and members. The event was attended by ORNAP president Ms. Marilyn Aro; former president, Mr. Rony Fajilagutan; assistant treasurer, Ms. Jovie Joya and board members, Ms. Redenta Mamaclay, Ms. Maricar de Paz and yours truly Ms. Maria Cecilia Gatchalian (P.R.O.)
Before the induction ceremony, it started with the introduction of the speaker, Dr. Ma. Laida Garcia, make her welcome remarks. Then, it was followed with a presentation by Dr. Ramoncito Magnaye focusing on “Patient Safety in Surgery”. The presentation highlights the importance of adopting the Surgical Safety Checklist as recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), designed to reinforce established safety practices and to foster better communication and teamwork among clinical disciplines. The checklist is intended to reduce unnecessary clinical deaths and complications.
There are 3 phases in the checklist: The Sign In (Before induction of anesthesia), Time out (Before skin incision) and the Time out (Before the patient leaves the operating room). This requires a knowledgeable checklist coordinator be employed to check with the surgical team if the surgical procedures, instruments and supplies during these phases are correct. By adopting this, the quality of surgical services improve in reducing the likelihood of serious, avoidable surgical or anesthesia harm and adherence to them will unlikely introduce injury or unmanageable cost.
Then, the 1st Batangas Chapter was formally inaugurated with the induction of its newly-elected officers, NOMELEC, members and 11 area coordinators which was presided by ORNAP president Ms. Marilyn Aro. National delegates wished them well in achieving their goals. For the Batangas Chapter, Ms. Redenta Mamaclay (national board member) is the regional coordinator.
The new officers and members of the ORNAP’s Batangas Chapter are as follows:

President : Dr. Maria Leida O. Garcia
Vice-President : Mr. Maricel Cerezo
Secretary : Mrs. Maria M. Maray
Asst. Secretary : Ms. Marilyn Juan
Treasurer : Ms. Marina Z. Delica
Asst. Treasurer : Mrs. Nida M. Arguelles
Auditor : Ms. Josefina Sanchez
P.R.O.: Mr. Anastacio F. Mendezaval

Board Members
Ms. Lanie Balmes
Ms. Roselle Azucena

NOMELEC (Chairman)
Ms. Adona M. Padilla

Members
Ms. Dyann Crishel A. Capalad
Mr. Ronald L. Lallucin

Mr. Ramilito C. de Guzman, RN

Last November 14, 2008, in line with the programs of ORNAP Pampanga Chapter, a seminar was held in coordination with Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital and 3M Philippines, entitled; “Going Back To Basics Of Cleaning, Disinfection, and Sterilization. It was a whole day of teaching, discussion, interaction and workshop with different participants who attended who attended the said event. The seminar aimed to provide sterilization professionals practical tips and updates on the recommended practices for cleaning, packaging, loading, disinfection, sterilization, monitoring and storage, which will be useful in improving their practices for ensuring patient safety. To fully disseminate this information, ORNAP Pampanga Chapter invited two important speakers to deliver new insights and advanced learning to professionals and students as well. Mr. Jun Barnes , a very well known specialists speaker  from 3M Philippines, spoke and tackled most about the technicalities of the cleaning, packaging, loading, disinfection, and sterilization including the facilitating of workshop per topic to the participants. And our second speaker, Mrs. Evelyn Gaffud, RN., also a specialist’s speaker from UP PGH, talked about Nursing Responsibilities and Issues in connection with the processes discussed.
It was a day of learning and interactions. There was an actual exchange of thoughts and views through open forum between the speakers and audience that made the seminar worth attending for.

The Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines renewed its Memorandum of Agreement on conducting monthly lecture and workshop with Aesculap Academy on August 28, 2008.
Dubbed as “Building Competencies in Managing Surgical Instruments”, the activity has run for the last two years and reached almost a thousand nurses not only in Luzon but also in the Visayas and Mindanao.  The lecture-workshop has also been utilized by several ORNAP chapters as part of their continuing education program.
Headed by Mrs. Antonieta Palafox, the team of lecturers and workshop facilitators includes Mrs. Jennifer Fernando, Training Manager of the Aesculap Division of B. Braun Medical Supplies, and officers of ORNAP notably Ms. Cecilia Amontos, Ms. Flor Burgos, Ms. Cathline Avellano, Ms. Jeovie de Joya, and Mr. Dickson Miciano.  Both Mrs. Palafox and Mrs. Fernando are certified trainer of Aesculap Academy and attended a month long training in Germany.
The lecture-workshop aims to introduce participants to the proper handling of basic surgical instruments and the effects of lack of care which can lead to corrosion and rust-formation.  Specifically, the course is intended to equip participants with the skills that will enable them to practice proper care and maintenance of their basic surgical instruments.
The MOA was signed by Ms. Marilyn A. Aro, President of ORNAP, and Mr. Jonathan Catahan, Country Manager of B. Braun Philippines, and was witnessed by Ms. Cecilia Amontos, Treasurer and Chair of the Continuing Education Program of ORNAP, and Ms. Delia Santillan, Aesculap Core Business Manager.

Maria Cecilia G. Gatchalian, RN

The Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines, INC (ANSAP), held its mid-year convention last August 15, 2008 with the theme: “Discovering Competitive Paradigms.” ORNAP was among the various health care organizations which attended this historic event. ORNAP officers who attended the said event were Ms. Marilyn Aro, Ms. Cecilia Amontos, Ms. Flor Burgos, Ms. Jeovie Joya,  Ms. Cecilia Gatchalian and Mr. Jonah Arguelles.
The topics focused mainly on improving safety and quality of patient care not only in the hospital or ambulatory treatment, but also in the community-based care. The most alarming issue that ANSAP wants to address is the remarkable decline in the passing percentage of graduates in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), not only in the Philippine Nurse Licensure Exam, but also in the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) and the National Council on Licensure Exam (NCLEX).
Certainly, nursing educators play a vital role in improving the quality of education to assure that graduates are highly competent and prepared to lead effectively at every level of nursing practice and administration. Most importantly, nursing educators develop analytical and critical thinking skills that are essential in the nurse’s ability to identify potential and current problems or at risks that impact upon patient safety.
During the open forum, there were diverse reactions given by the participants and the board members especially on the issue of marked decline of quality nursing education.
It is certainly a great challenge for the new members of the ANSAP to vie for excellence in producing competent nursing professionals.

Redenta C. Mamaclay, RN

Our body needs food and water to nourish us physically, but more than our physiologic needs, our spirits also needs nourishment to uplift our soul and spirit and help us strengthen our relationship with God and to “Come Alive!”
The Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines (ORNAP) officers had an annual retreat last August 9-10, 2008 at the Franciscian Missionary of Mary retreat in Tagaytay City. The 2 day retreat was facilitated by Bro. Jonathan Hijastro and was inspired using the retreat module developed by Fr. Larry Tan SBD.
The retreat was a good opportunity to start the newly elected officers, board and past president to ask for God’s guidance and spiritual direction for the progress of the organization and to include enhance communication, collaboration and creative thinking which can help the new sets of ORNAP officers to move forward a great year.
The officers and the past president shared experiences and insights about their personal and professional experiences which allowed them a good start to get know each other better and learned the meaning of STOP , valuing SILENCE, THINKING or reflecting, OPENING up to people and to God and to always PRAY  amidst all the difficulties and trials in life.
Aside from all the sharing and loving, the ORNAP officers also had a great time with other activities such as action songs and dance moves which really grooved the officers to scale a higher level of excellence for the association.
Indeed, having this 2 day retreat with the Lord opened a lot of opportunities and gave the officers insights about experiencing Gods Love through acknowledging each others strengths, weaknesses and opportunity. Experiencing Gods love amidst all these trials and success that we really should Come Alive! And be Gods living model to one another.

Cathline D. Avellano, RN

Safety has always been the main concern of those people involved in the medical profession. This is especially true in the Perioperative Nursing setting as we deal with one of the most stressful environment in the hospital.
There had been no data on surgical statistics related to errors committed in the OR. But most of us will agree that this happens, maybe even involving ourselves. Did anyone ever encountered missing a sponge, realizing that you have prepped the wrong site or an instrument is nowhere to be found just as the surgeon is doing the last stitch on the patient’s skin?
If these things do not seem to prove as alarming then you better think twice. Consider yourself on the OR table and witnessing such situations unfold like how it was in the movie Awake.
The Time Out Process (TOP) was discussed in the 34th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting and has proved to be one of the favourite topics of the participants based on the evaluation gathered. This just goes to prove that we still value the thought of surgical conscience as this is related to the practice of the Time Out Process.
The “Time-out” process as defined by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) is a system performed by the health care team before any surgical procedure is done. Included in these parameters is to make certain that the following are checked, verified and acknowledged by the whole surgical team: Patient Identification, Informed Consent, Verification of Procedure & Site, Surgical Marking, Verification of Correct Position and availability of Implant, Special Equipment &/or Imaging Studies needed for the surgical procedure.
The perioperative group organized in the country is committed to eradicate or at least lessen the incidence of wrong patient, wrong site, and wrong procedure surgery. They developed ways to improve protocols that will effectively eliminate these circumstances. Since the “Time-Out” process has just been recently introduced in the Philippines and that it is not yet widely practiced in all hospitals in the country, the effectiveness therefore is challenged by the fact that there are a limited number of surgical errors reported as compared to the number of actual incidences.
As we geared towards standardization of the Perioperative Nursing Practice, there is a need to open up ourselves and embrace a system that highlights patient safety more than anything else. After all this is what really matters – ensuring that each patient goes though the surgical experience taken cared of by efficient and effective healthcare team.
Everybody listen! It’s “Time-Out” time!

Cathline D. Avellano, RN

Be the best…always!
The Operating Room Nurses Association of the Philippines (ORNAP) have recently concluded their 34th Annual Convention and Scientific Meeting with the theme “Solidarity without Boundaries.”
One of the highlight of the activity is the presentation of the Consuelo G. Arabit Award which was won by Mr. Antonio C. Valera III. The said award is the highest and most prestigious honour given by the organization to an outstanding perioperative nurse.
Mr. Valera has served as a perioperative nurse for the last 18 years. He had been affiliated with the Philippine General Hospital and Asian Hospital & Medical Center. He also completed the Supervised Practice Course (6 months) at the Guys’ and St. Thomas’ Hospital NHS Trust Lambeth Palace Road in London where Florence Nightingale studied her formal training in Nursing. Currently, he holds the position of a Department Manager of the Operating Room Cluster of the first JCI Accredited hospital in the Philippines, St. Luke’s Medical Center. He also shares his passion for teaching by being an educator working as a Clinical Instructor on a part time basis with Far Eastern University, St. Joseph College and Kester Grant College.
Sir Tony actively participates in ORNAP initiatives and activities and has served as the ORNAP National President in the year 2004 – 2005.
Congratulations po, Sir Tony!

Jonah T. Arguelles, RN

The Board of Nursing has mandated itself to pursue the challenge in the Nursing profession. Amidst all controversies, the new set of board has maintained its course toward unifying the profession and paving its way to excellence and competitive Nursing in the year 2030. The Operating-Room Nurses of the Philippines Inc. (ORNAP) shared the same enthusiasm as our leaders in the profession set forth in accomplishing the task at hand.
Together with the different Professional Nursing Organizations in the Philippines we are enjoined to commit ourselves in this endeavor. Last June 05, 2008, ORNAP attended the seminar workshop that was headed by the BON co-sponsored by the Association of Deans of Philippines College of Nursing (ADPCN) at the University of Sto. Tomas hall. The workshop focuses on gathering the group’s thoughts and to contemplate on the vision, mission, and the core values of the Nursing Profession. Furthermore, the group deliberated the set targets and objectives corresponding to the given vision and mission. The ORNAP representative, youngest amongst the delegates present, never back down in the discussion. We were ready and eager to be a part of building the profession and bringing it to a higher level of success.
As a result of the workshop, the group was able to construct the vision and mission and enumerated the core values and objectives of the profession.

VISION: By 2030, the Philippines shall be the lead in promoting Professional Nursing in the Asia Pacific Region.

MISSION: We, the Filipino Nurses are committed to provide society with professional Nursing service through innovations in education and training research and management that will improve the well-being and quality of life.

CORE VALUES: Love of God, Caring, Love of People, Love of Country

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
•    Develop dynamic leaders and provide opportunities for innovative management in education, training and research.
•    Ensure adherence to professional ethical and legal standards for the health and safety of the public
•    Practice good governance to sustain participative efforts among nurses and nursing organizations.
•    Maintain linkages with domestic and international stakeholders.
•    Sustain growth and productivity that will improve the quality of life of nurses, the Filipinos and the people of the world.

Following the formulation of the VMO, the BON, ORNAP and other Professional Nursing Organizations will continue its quest in achieving their desired goals. In connection with this, the Occupational Health Nurses Association of the Philippines (OHNAP) hosted lecture –forum on Balanced Scorecard at the PNA Conference Room last June 26, 2008. On the other hand last August 01, 2008, the Association of Nursing Service Administrators of the Philippines (ANSAP) also sponsored a one day workshop on Strategic Planning at the Philippines Heart Center. In spite of pouring rain delegates came to attend the workshop. We reviewed the objectives and the four perspectives namely Learning and Growth, Internal Processes, Customer and Financial Perspectives. The participants were grouped to work on the different perspectives and be able to strategically plan, create initiatives, and do brain storming to come up with an acceptable and measurable target for 2030. We were asked to present our output after the workshop and we were able to deliver.
The Nursing Profession has been struggling to cope up with the changes in our field of practice, and a lot has been said little has been done. With the leadership of the Board of Nursing and the effort and dedication of the different Professional Nursing Organizations of the Philippines we hope to walk or even run to a rough free journey towards 2030.
The ORNAP representative was enjoined by other Professional Nursing Organizations who battled for the same reason. They are the following: PNA, ANSAP, ADPCN, OHNAP, SCVNPP, CCNAPI, MCNAP, ADNEP, RENAP, NLGNP, CNGP, GNCP, PSECN, PHICNA, PONA, APDNPP and the UP Manila College of Nursing as WHO collaborating Center for leadership in Nursing Development.