•   Nominate a Colleague for this years PANA Awards!
  Know a CRNA deserving of recognition for their professionalism as an Outstanding Student of the Year; Didactic Instructor of the Year; Clinical Instructor of the Year; CRNA Clinician of the Year or Program Director of the Year? Why not nominate them for 2010's PANA Awards. Complete and Mail this Word document, or Print and mail this PDF.
• Meet your new PANA Board of Trustees
  Starting with the Sunday of this Falls PANA Symposim in Gettysburg, Diana Davidson has begun her tenure as PANA President. She introduced the Board to meeting attendees, and here is the complete list.
•   Healthcare Reform Page
  The PANA's own James Woomer has compiled an impressive list of articles and web pages relating to Healthcare Reform and Economics. This list is presented to educate and encourage discussion between healthcare providers. PANA members are encouraged to submit additional resources if they wish to add to the discussion. We are quite sure that there will be differences of opinion among the membership as to the direction this country should take with regard to healthcare reform, but the discussion needs to start somewhere!
•   Ambulatory Surgical Center Services Denying Incorrectly!
  Highmark Medicare Services has been made aware of a Part B shared system problem that is causing some ASC services to deny incorrectly. We are working with the Part B Shared System Maintainer to determine the cause of the problem and implement corrective actions. Providers should not be required to take action to correct these claims. Highmark Medicare Services will automatically adjust any incorrectly processed claims once the problem has been resolved. We will provide additional updates to this message as information becomes available.
•   AANA addresses concerns on Federal HB 3200 on Health Care Reform
  View this communication here.
•   Pennsylvania Department of Health Releases Ruling on SRNA Clinical Training in Ambulatory Surgical Facilities
  After encouragement and much time on the part of the PANA Board and President Joesph D'Amico, the PA DOH has issued a ruling allowing SRNAs to gain clinical experience at ASF's if certain guidelines are met. View this missive here.
•   End Discrimination Against Healthcare Providers by Licensure
  Read what AANA President Jackie Rowles has to say about new US legislation: Affordable Health Choices Act (AHCA). Get on board now in support of this legislation by using the online email messaging system
• Pennsylvania CRNAs and SRNAs share their 2009 CRNA Week Celebrations with the State!
  See what other anesthetists have done to spread the word. If you've got pictures or a story, send them to the PANA for inclusion
  
  Curious about 2008?  Click here
• A new resource for info from the PA Patient Safety Authority
  The Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency established under Act 13 of 2002, the Medical Care Availability and Reduction of Error (Mcare) Act. Under Act 13, all hospitals, birthing centers, ambulatory surgical facilities and certain abortion facilities must report what the Act defines as "Serious Events" (actual adverse events) and "Incidents" (so-called "near-misses"). The Authority analyzes and evaluates those reports so it can learn from the data reported in order to advise facilities and make recommendations for changes in healthcare practices and procedures which may be instituted to reduce the number and severity of Serious Events and Incidents.
  The PSF providers online resources for clinicians to use. A search specific to nurse anesthesia came up with the following "hits"
• PANA President Joseph D'Amico shares his thoughts for the past year, and where this organization is headed.
  Read his missive
• Congratulations to the PANA Public Relations committee and Student Activities committee for winning this years AANA Public Relations Recognition Award for the Best Promotional Effort for National Nurse Anesthetists Week!
  A well coordinated effort by many PANA SRNAs and CRNAs placed their effort at the top of the AANA's list this year. More information can be found here
• PANA Announces 2008 Hilda Salomon Award winners
  Hilda Salomon, CRNA, PANAs first president, was a pioneer in furthering the profession of nurse anesthesia. Perseverance, patience, hard work, vision and the will to further the profession are the enduring qualities of Hilda Salomon. It is these qualities that are exemplified by a Hilda Salomon Award recipient.

CRNAs in the News!

• La Roche nursing students perfect skill by using SimMan
  The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
  January 15, 2009
• Patricia Mullen Reilly, CRNA and PANA Member, has been selected for the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation Committee on Technology
  "Ms. Reilly has had extensive experience on the COT and brings a wealth of clinical, managerial, and interpersonal experience to this position and will help COT reach out to its membership to improve communications, recruitment, and developmental strategies." If you have feedback for Patty, contact her via email.
• A Fighting Chance - Paulette Schank CRNA from Langhorne, PA shares her thoughts on saving men's lives in Iraq
  Scott Pelley On Combat Medicine And The Battle To Save Lives
  CBS News
  10/30/2006

Patient Information

• The PANA Encourages Safety First!
  Statewide Public Service Announcement to encourage use of seatbelts, helmets, and to avoid drinking and driving. More information available through these links
• Preparing A Child For Surgery:
  Nurse anesthestists Give Advice On Reducing Fear Of The Unknown

• PANA and PSA Release Joint Statement on Propofol Administration
  To insure patient safety, Propofol should be administered only by persons trained in the administration of general anesthesia and not involved in the conduct of the surgical/diagnostic procedure

• My Elderly Parent Must Undergo Surgery, Now What?
  Are you prepared to surrender your geriatric parent to surgical care?

• Surgery On The Go!
  Children off to school by seven... call garage at nine to schedule oil change... surgery at ten...
  The State of Ambulatory Surgery Today

• Rejuvenate Your Nursing Career in the Oldest Avanced Practice Specialty - Nurse Anesthesia
  The profession of nurse anesthesia is the oldest advanced practice specialty in the field of nursing
  Thomas Kelly, PANA Trustee
  
• Pine Study Shows Surgical Death Rates Not Affected by Type of Anesthesia Provider
  AANA Journal
  April 2003
  

Clinical Information

• Patient Screening and Assessment in Ambulatory Surgical Facilities
  As the popularity of these facilities continues to grow and increasingly complex procedures are performed, thorough screening, assessment, and preparation of patients prior to surgery is essential to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Visit the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority Web site to view or download the screening and assessment forms based on this article.
• CDC Issues Case Report on Nevada Hepatitis Outbreak
  As part of an issue of the CDC's official publication Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (May 16), the CDC has released this report and statement
• Practice requirements are changing in New Jersey!.
  CRNAs and SRNA's graduating, will be recognized as Advanced Practice Nurses in NJ and be required to apply for an APN license by June 16, 2009. If you have a nursing license in NJ or are considering one, please read this announcement to understand your requirements. Read your requirements on the NJANA website
• Cultural Competence in Anesthesia Care
  Michael Conti, CRNA, MSN
  PANA Vice President
  Chair PANA Wellness Committee
• Pediatric Dose Calculator
  Facilitate the pediatric anesthetic! Use the PANA's World famous (no really!) calculator.
  Updated August 2004

• PANA President Joseph D'Amico Ph.D. responds to Aetna's plan to stop anesthesia reimbursement for endoscopies.
  Read his response in letters to Senator, Donald White, Chair, Senate Banking and Insurance Committee; Representative, Anthony DeLuca, Chair, House Insurance Committee; Mr. Joel Ario, PA Acting Insurance Commissioner.
• OB Anesthesia Equally Safe When Provided By CRNAs Or Anesthesiologists, New Washington Study Shows
  Obstetrical anesthesia, whether provided by Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) or anesthesiologists, is extremely safe, and there is no difference in safety between hospitals that use only CRNAs compared with those that use only anesthesiologists, according to the results of a new study published in a recent issue of Nursing Research (Vol. 56, No. 1, pp. 9-17).
• Test Your Knowledge of ACLS!
  http:www.acls.net

Get To Know Your Government

• PANA Members Represent AANA at Fundraiser for Mike Doyle (PA-14)  
  Arlene and Elsie were in Pittsburgh to help support Representative Doyle for being a friend to CRNAs
• Breakfast in Tamaqua:
  

  Nurse anesthetists in the area met at the Tamaqua Diner in Tamaqua, PA on January 24th to greet Representative David Argall (R) who is running in a special election to fill the State Senate seat in the 29th district vacated by the late Senator Jim Rhoades. The special election was held on March 3, 2009, and Representative Argall won! Some background info on Rep. David G. Argall: He has served the people of the 124th State House district since 1985. He has been re-elected in 11 subsequent elections, each time winning all of the district's 11 boroughs and 16 townships in Berks and Schuylkill counties. Organized by Diane Butkus, CRNA, Joe D'Amico and Diana Davidson both attended, as well as Peg Moyer. Joe and Peg made remarks to the crowd and Rep. Argall addressed the crowd as well then mingled with everyone to discuss their interests and concerns.

• PANA Vice President Michael Conti reports on the PANA's visit to Washington D.C during the AANA's MidYear Assembly  
  This great turnout sets the stage for CRNA political activity for the year.

PANA Happenings

•   Christine Allen-Sanders, CRNA, BSEd. the PANA Federal Political Director has shared pictures from the AANA Mid Year assembly last year. Take a look at the Meeting Report page here.
• The PANA Fall Meeting in Pittsburgh was well attended. See a few pictures, and an outline of the happenings on the Meeting Report page.
• Picture from the 2008 PANA Lobby Day in Harrisburg
  
• This years PANA golf outing held in conjunction with LVAS donated $1000 to Second Harvest Food Bank. Read District 1 Chair Dan Delaneys' letter to the Second Harvest Director...

In Memorium

John Garde CRNA, MS, FAAN

View the announcement of his parting from AANA President Jackie Rowles

Donna F. (Foley) Connor
1954-2009

Donna F. Connor, 55, Kempton, a loving mother, daughter, sister, wife and friend, died July 5, 2009, at her home due to an accident. Born on Jan. 6, 1954, in Copaigue, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Joseph W. and Kay (Agro) Foley.

Donna worked starting at age 12 in various jobs, a deli after school and also a paint store. She attended the Catholic girls school, Villa Walsh Academy, for two years and graduated from Sparta High School in 1972, enjoying school tremendously while involved in music, band, choir, newspaper and assorted clubs. She also held student government offices all four years of high school. Donna entered a competition to give the farewell speech at her school graduation and won. It was a proud moment for her and her family. She attended Muhlenberg Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1975 as a registered nurse. She married Maurice Leo Connor in 1977 after meeting him through the Civil Air Patrol at Hawk Mountain, Kempton. She fell in love with the area there. While living in Cherry Hill, N.J., she took an emergency medical technician course and both she and her husband became instructors. She joined the Cherry Hill Emergency Squad and became the first female assistant captain of the squad. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital 1979 through 1981 and became a certified registered nurse anesthetist in 1982. She became a private pilot, owning her own 1946 Cessna 120. Donna was a key member of the Lehigh Valley Hospital anesthesia department since 2000 and was held in high esteem by the staff. She was a member of Frieden's Lutheran Church, Stony Run, where she served on the church council and was very active in church activities. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Matthew M. Connor, Tampa, Fla., and daughter, Claire M. Connor, Kempton, and sister, Katie (Foley) Noullet, Tampa, Fla. Funeral services will be Thursday, July 9, 2009, at 11 a.m. in Friedens Lutheran Church, 9727 Red Road, Stony Run, with the Rev. Donald C. Simmons officiating. Burial will be in Friedens Cemetery, Stony Run. Friends may call Thursday from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the church. The family requests contributions to the Memorial Fund of Friedens Lutheran Church, 19529. Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., Kutztown, is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.ludwickfh.com.

Sandra Fox Sell, CRNA, MSN

Sandy Sell, a highly respected member of the Pittsburgh Nurse Anesthesia community died in a tragic accident last week. After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she began her career as a staff nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Montefiore Hospital. After graduating from the University Health Center of Pittsburgh School of Anesthesia for Nurses she worked as a staff nurse anesthetist at Presbyterian University Hospital. Sandy rose to leadership positions serving as Chief Nurse Anesthestist at Presbyterian and Chief Nurse Anesthetist for the University of Pittsburgh Physicians. She received a Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Pittsburgh, and was a member of the Nurse Anesthesia Program faculty at the University of Pittsburgh for several years. Most recently Sandy was a member of the nurse anesthesia staff at UPMC Braddock. She will be sorely missed by both colleagues and students. Sandy leaves behind a legacy of exemplary clinical anesthesia care, administration, and education; she was a role model for all. Sandy was preceded in death by one son, and is survived by her husband and four children.