AORN Greater Houston
Chapter 4407






























Legislative Column, March 2008

Joanne D. Oliver, RN, BSN, CNOR – Chair Legislative Committee

AORN of Greater Houston

PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE TAKING PLACE IN EVERY STATE – TEXAS IS MARCH 4, 2008

Do your part and vote! You do make a difference!

Attached is the latest AORN Government Affairs Legislative Update. It leads out with AORN’s
Legislative Priorities then tells you what is happening across the United States. If you have not
read one of these, I encourage you to do so. Our Texas Legislature is not currently in session,
but that does not mean we are idle. This is the time when bills are being formulated and
submitted to get ready for our next session, which will start in January of 2009. Many groups will
be going to the bartering table to work out possible differences so that bills can be processed
expeditiously. If you hear of issues that may be of significance, please let Joanne Oliver at
jolivertx@comcast.net know. The Nursing Legislative Action Coalition sponsored by TNA with
approximately 30 other nursing organizations, will be meeting to discuss any proposed
healthcare/nursing issues in April so we do need your input.

If you have not registered to vote, go to the following to register online. https://electionimpact3.
votenet.com/wv/voterreg2/index.cfm

Several allied healthcare personnel groups are going to be submitting bills requesting licensure.
It is important to know that the registered nurse in the operating room is the delegator for any
nursing functions that may be performed. It is the registered nurse who assesses the patient
and maintains the appropriate environment for safe patient care. It is the registered nurse that
controls the processes and the functions appropriate to be that patient advocate. As a
registered nurse you are responsible for maintaining the policies and procedures inherent in
your care of the patient undergoing a surgical intervention. This includes any other allied
healthcare personnel that may be involved with the patient while they are under your care. Be
proud of your position and protect the interest of your patient.

The “Principles to be Used in Evaluating Allied Health Legislative Initiatives” that were passed
during our 2007 Congress will be submitted to the House of Delegates at our 2008 Congress
with some amendments. A glossary of terms was also developed to assist the various States
with a clearer understanding of the “Principles”. These are located in the January issue of your
AORN Journal and also at: http://aorn.
org/PublicPolicy/AORNAdvocacy/LobbyingTools/LegislativePrinciples and

http://www.tcorn.org

Be knowledgeable of this document and promote the use of these guidelines!!

If you have not signed up for the grassroots network through AORN, all you have to do is send
an email to grassroots@aorn.org. They need your name, chapter number, & email address. It is
that simple. Any alerts or new information that comes out from National AORN you will get. Texas
has an additional grassroots process as most of you already know.

It is a pleasure to serve on the legislative committee at the local, state, & national level. Be sure
to share ideas and thoughts with our Houston committee.

Take Care & VOTE!

Joanne D. Oliver, RN, BSN, CNOR

Chair AORN Greater Houston Legislative Committee




PLEASE REMEMBER TO GO TO WWW.AORN.ORG/PUBLICPOLICY/GRASSROOTS  
AND REGISTER FOR GRASSROOTS INFORMATION.
Updated May 23, 2008
Please click here for information
regarding our Texas Council of
Operating Room Nurses
TCORN
                          Websites of interest to nurses:
READ, SHARE, & COMMUNICATE whenever you can.  Together we have a
tremendous amount of power.

Click Here for Legislative Update