Announcements

SGNA offers nearly 20 position statements, standards and guidelines related the work you do every day to provide a framework for the safe and effective practice of gastroenterology/endoscopy nursing in all settings. To help you put them into practice in your unit, and share them with other members and non-members, SGNA has created a SGNA Practice Document Tool Kit.   Featuring a flyer, PowerPoint slides, sample scripting, email copy and more, this kit provides the resources you need to speak to and justify the use of the SGNA practice documents.

In the season of giving, recognize your exceptional peers who have made positive impacts in your region, SGNA, or in their practice. The nomination deadline has been extended to December 16th, so be sure to use this extra time to submit nominations for the following awards: ·     2020 Regional Society Member of the Year ·     The Distinguished Service Award  ·     The Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award Recipients of each of these awards receive a complimentary Annual Course registration, airfare and three-day hotel stay at the 47th Annual Course, May 17-19, 2020 (pre-meeting events May 15-16) and recognition in The Inside Tract. The recipient of the Regional Society Member of the year also receives an inscribed plaque and medallion and recognition in the quarterly SGNA Regional Leader Communication. Visit our website to learn more about each award. Learn more or submit a nomination for 2020 here. All nominations are due by December 16th!

The year is coming to a close and it's time to renew your SGNA membership for 2020! When you renew, you'll continue to receive benefits such as: Maintain your RN license and other certifications through contact hour opportunities Discounted prices for educational offerings and programs, including the Annual Course Exclusive access to our online communities, launched earlier this year Up-to-Date information on the latest education, tools and resources View all the benefits of your SGNA membership.   As a special renewal offer, you can purchase all 12 webinars scheduled for 2020 for just $180, a 40% discount off the regular price. This offer is only available through the membership renewal period, ending on March 1, 2020.

 

Share your GI knowledge, passion and skills with your community, while contributing to the advancement of the SGNA's objectives and field of gastroenterology, by serving on a 2020 SGNA committee.

The 2020-2021 Willingness to Serve form is now open. If you are interested in volunteering for a committee, visit the SGNA website to learn about our 11 volunteer committees. Please complete the Willingness to Serve form to indicate your interest. Existing committee members must also complete the form to be considered for the 2020-2021 term. 

Volunteer submissions will close on Friday, November 22, 2019. All volunteer terms will run from May 2020 - May 2021, unless otherwise noted.

Celebrate the achievements of your peers with SGNA's Regional Society Member of the Year Award! Nominate members who have made a substantial positive impact in your region. There are several areas of performance in which a member can excel I order to qualify for this award, including: Facilitator/Mentor, Innovation, Organization, and Passion.

Recipients of the award receive the full Annual Course registration fee waived, airfare and three-day hotel stay at the Annual Course at which the presentation is made; and recognition in either SGNA News and/or Inside Tract and quarterly Regional Leader Communication.

Learn more or submit a nomination here. Nominations are due Monday, December 2, 2019.

Through its annual awards, SGNA recognizes members who have made important contributions in direct patient care in one or more of several performance categories. You can now submit a nomination to highlight your own contribution or those of peers who stand out in the field.  The Distinguished Service Award recognizes a current SGNA member who has made significant contributions to the regional and national activities of the Society in the previous year. This award is sponsored by Diversatek Healthcare. The Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award, named for an early pioneer in gastroenterology patient care, recognizes a member who has made important contributions in direct patient care in one or more of several performance categories. This award is sponsored by Fujifilm Medical Systems U.S.A., Inc.  Recipients of these awards receive an inscribed plaque and medallion; Annual Course registration, airfare and three-day hotel stay at the Annual Course at which the presentation is made; and a feature article in The Inside Tract.   Learn more or submit a nomination here. Nominations for both awards are due Monday, December 2, 2019.

During SGNA's next webinar, Chronic Constipation: Pearls and Pitfalls, presented by Jeanetta W. Frye, MD, learn about common causes, evaluation and management of chronic constipation in your patients.

Webinar: Chronic Constipation: Pearls and Pitfalls

Presented by: Jeanetta W. Frye, MD 

When: Tuesday, November 19 at 6:00pm CDT

Upon successful completion, participants can earn up to 1.0 GI-Specific contact hour through ABCGN as well as through IAHCSMM and CBSPD. 

 

If you renewed your SGNA membership through 2019, you are eligible for two free webinars in 2019. Use the code 2WEBINARS19 to redeem for this webinar. If you are renewed through 2019 and experience difficulty applying the code, please email info@sgna.org.

Purchase two or more recorded webinars and receive a spook-tacular 10% off through October 31. The two recorded webinars must be purchased together and the discount is automatically applied! It’s so easy to save it’s spooky!

SGNA’s October webinar, “Beware Millennials: Colon Cancer is on the Rise!” presented by Kristen L. Seay, MSN, RN, CGRN, is now open for registration! The live webinar is on October 22 at 6pm central time. Upon successful completion, participants can earn up to 1.0 GI-Specific contact hour through ABCGN as well as through IAHCSMM and CBSPD. 

For a look at our recorded on-demand webinars, please visit our eLearning Center.

Submit a poster abstract for the 47th Annual Course, May 17-19 (Pre-meeting events May 15-16) in Louisville, KY. SGNA welcomes proposals that have innovative and practical application for nurses and associates in the practice of gastroenterology and endoscopy. Abstracts should be 200 words or less and must be received no later than Monday, September 30th.

Click here for full poster criteria. Contact Krista Lebrun with any questions.

Share your expertise! SGNA is soliciting members for a Patient Resource Repository Task Force. The goals of this task force are to identify gaps in patient education materials, identify and prioritize patient education material subject areas, and collect and audit patient education materials. The outcome of this task force will be the development of a brand new patient resource repository for SGNA members.

Submit your application to SGNA Headquarters by Monday, August 19, 2019 for consideration.  

For application questions, please contact Kiana Coffey at kcoffey@sgna.org.

New SIG Alert! SGNA has recently added an IBD SIG, led by Peggy Galvis, ADN RN.

SGNA’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) offer opportunities to increase your leadership skills, help plan targeted educational offerings, and simply meet other SGNA members with similar interests, areas of specialization or practice settings. SIGs are open to any active member of SGNA. 

Do you know about our other SGNA SIGs? Check out the six SIGs that SGNA offers and see how you can get involved!

SGNA is looking for knowledgeable members to lead the Hepatology SIG. Volunteering as a SIG leader offers opportunities to increase your leadership skills, help plan targeted educational offerings, and simply meet other SGNA members with similar interests, areas of specialization or practice settings. 

Contact SGNA if you're interested in learning more about serving as a Hepatology SIG leader or would like to request a leader application. 

Overview: Dilhana Badurdeen MBBS, MD presents on "Endo Bariatric Therapies for Weight Loss" on behalf of SGNA.

This presentation includes discussion of currently approved endoscopic bariatric therapies – Intra-gastric balloon, Sleeve gastroplasty, Aspiration therapy and intra-gastric botox. Discussion will also include indications, contraindications, procedure, complications, side effects, before and after care.

Join SGNA for a GI/Endoscopy Nursing Review Course in Parker, Colorado on October 26-27, 2019! This two-day course will provide an overview of key areas related to GI/endoscopy nursing practice and tips to prepare for the ABCGN Certification Exam. All participants will receive the GI/Endoscopy Nursing Review: Certification Study Manual as part of their course registration.

The SGNA Associates and Advanced Associates Program Scholarships have been established to financially assist technicians and associates in taking these online programs. Find the full criteria and applications here. Applications are due September 1.

This course is for the nurse or technician in the GI setting who is responsible for ensuring that the cleaning and disinfection of endoscopes is done safely and effectively. The session will offer hands-on opportunity to practice the reprocessing steps.

The purpose of this course is to offer tools to:

• Encourage the use of SGNA endoscope cleaning standards and practices in their facilities.
• Utilize SGNA Standards and Guidelines to teach attendees how to clean and disinfect endoscopes.
• Review reprocessing procedure through hands-on practice.

Attend the morning or afternoon session. Each session is worth 3.50 contact hours, 3.50 that are GI-specific. Additionally, we anticipate approval by CBSPD and IAHCSMM. Certificates will be handed out on site upon completion of the course. 

SGNA’s Special Interest Groups (SIGs) can further your involvement in SGNA and expand your career network. SIGs offer opportunities to increase your leadership skills, help plan targeted educational offerings, and simply meet other SGNA members with similar interests, areas of specialization or practice settings. SIGs are open to any active member of SGNA.

 

New SIG Alert! SGNA has recently added an IBD SIG. Click here to join the new IBD SIG, led by Peggy Galvis, ADN RN.

 

Do you know about our other SGNA SIGs? Check out the six SIGs that SGNA offers and see how you can get involved!

 

The SIGs are supported, in part, by Takeda

Not sure if you'll finish your abstract for the 47th Annual Course on time? Don't worry-we are extending the deadline to submit an abstract to Monday, June 10, 2019! SGNA is looking for nurses and associates of all levels to present at the 47th Annual Course, May 17-19, 2020 (Pre-meeting events May 15-16), in Louisville, Kentucky.

Please note this call for abstracts is only for oral podium presentations at the 47th Annual Course in 2020, not for poster or webinar presentations.

Take advantage of the weekend and consider submitting an abstract by Monday, June 10, 2019. Contact Krista Lebrun with any questions.

In mid-June, SGNA will launch a new online education center where it is much simpler for you to purchase and access its eLearning Courses. You will also have the ability to view past webcasts on-demand.

As we prepare for this exciting new resource, please make note of the following:

• eLearning Courses will be temporarily unavailable for purchase between June 1-10. Those same courses will be available for purchase in the new center upon its launch.
• If you have a program in process in the current system, please complete it by June 10. You will not be able to access partially completed programs through the new center.
• Please download and save all of your certificates of completion for past eLearning Courses by June 10 so you can easily access them in the future. 

SGNA's mid-year membership program makes joining now the perfect way to advance your career and increase your visibility in the profession. Your membership, available now at a discounted rate, begins the day you join and expires on December 31, 2020.

Why Join SGNA Now?

• Access to a new online education center with a simpler purchasing process and access to past webcasts on demand
• Network with GI professionals on our exclusive discussion platform, SGNA Communities
• Receive two complimentary webinars, worth 1.0 contact hour each
• Build your knowledge and self confidence with uninterrupted access to SGNA educational offerings for the next 18 months
• Maintain your RN license and certification with free and discounted contact hour opportunities
• Get exclusive member discounts for all SGNA events, products, programs and training
• Gain access to SGNA regional membership
• Ensure you are maintaining the highest level of practice excellence by hearing first when SGNA practice documents are announced

Dues vary depending on the date you join and your regional affiliation, so head over to the SGNA website and click "Join SGNA" to see your dues.

Need help or have questions? Contact SGNA headquarters.

SGNA is currently seeking experts in the field to present and share their knowledge at the SGNA 47th Annual Course. Please submit an abstract for consideration for the 47th Annual Course, May 17-19, 2020 (Pre-meeting events May 15-16), in Louisville, Kentucky by Friday, June 7, 2019.

Presenting at the SGNA Annual Course gives you the opportunity to showcase your expertise at the national level, hone your presentation skills and receive recognition as a leader in the profession.

The Program Committee is especially interested in abstracts with the following topics:

• Associate/technician
• GI diseases (Examples include: Hepatitis, IBD Liver disease, Colorectal cancer)
• Procedures (Examples include: ERCP, EUS, PEG/PEJ, bronchoscopy)
• Regulatory and accrediting body updates
• Evidence-based practice and research
• Infection prevention
• Emerging technology
• Management, leadership, business acumen
• Moderate sedation and anesthesia

Please note this call for abstracts is only for oral podium presentations at the 47th Annual Course in 2020, not for poster or webinar presentations. 

Submit an abstract by June 7, 2019. Contact Krista Lebrun with any questions.

As an Infection Prevention Champion, you'll have access to the latest evidence-based tools and resources. Champions educate themselves and their gastroenterology/endoscopy colleagues on infection prevention/control topics, maintaining high quality control within the endoscopy arena and addressing performance improvement needs.

New this year, Champions will have access to the upcoming monthly Champions Chat podcast series and an exclusive online community of fellow Infection Prevention Champions! 

Become a Champion and register by Friday, May 31 for the summer program that begins the first week of June.

This program is supported, in part, by Boston Scientific

As an Infection Prevention Champion, you'll have access to the latest evidence-based tools and resources. Champions educate themselves and their gastroenterology/endoscopy colleagues on infection prevention/control topics, maintaining high quality control within the endoscopy arena and addressing performance improvement needs.

New this year, Champions will have access to the upcoming monthly Champions Chat podcast series and an exclusive online community of fellow Infection Prevention Champions! 

Become a Champion and register by Friday, May 31 for the summer program that begins the first week of June.

This program is supported, in part, by Boston Scientific

As an Infection Prevention Champion, you'll have access to the latest evidence-based tools and resources. Champions educate themselves and their gastroenterology/endoscopy colleagues on infection prevention/control topics, maintaining high quality control within the endoscopy arena and addressing performance improvement needs.

New this year, Champions will have access to the upcoming monthly Champions Chat podcast series and an exclusive online community of fellow Infection Prevention Champions! 

Become a Champion and register by Friday, May 31 for the summer program that begins the first week of June.

The Champions Program is supported, in part, by Boston Scientific

Join us for the very first SGNA Associates/Technicians SIG Webinar titled ERCP: Through the Eyes of the Technician.

This webinar will discuss:

• Basic Biliary Anatomy.
• Indications for ERCP, Treatment Measures
• Understanding of equipment for ERCP
• Reprocessing of Duodenal Scope, Accessories

Presenter: Linda Daniels, AGTS, CFER
When: Thursday, April 25, 6-7PM Central Time
Details: 1 Hour CEU offered through CBSPD and IAHCSMM
Cost: $5 to register

Join us for the very first SGNA Associates/Technicians SIG Webinar titled ERCP: Through the Eyes of the Technician.

This webinar will discuss:
Basic Biliary Anatomy.
Indications for ERCP, Treatment Measures
Understanding of equipment for ERCP
Reprocessing of Duodenal Scope, Accessories

Presenter: Linda Daniels, AGTS, CFER
When: Thursday, April 25, 6-7PM Central Time
Details: 1 Hour CEU offered through CBSPD and IAHCSMM
Cost: $5 to register

Join us for the very first SGNA Associates/Technicians SIG Webinar titled ERCP: Through the Eyes of the Technician.

This webinar will discuss:

• Basic Biliary Anatomy.
• Indications for ERCP, Treatment Measures
• Understanding of equipment for ERCP
• Reprocessing of Duodenal Scope, Accessories

Presenter: Linda Daniels, AGTS, CFER
When: Thursday, April 25, 6-7PM Central Time
Details: 1 Hour CEU offered through CBSPD and IAHCSMM
Cost: $5 to register

Do you know anyone transitioning into the GI nursing field? Well lucky for them, we've just released our Transition to Practice online module!

Topics included in this online, self-paced program are Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology of the Gastrointestinal Tract; Endoscopes and Accessory Equipment; Infection Prevention; Moderate Sedation; and Role Delineation in GI Nursing.

This course is worth 4.25 contact hour(s).

Every year, SIG (special interest group) members gather together in person at the Annual Course to discuss trending topics and issues.

The event will occur on Tuesday, April 16 from 9:30-10:30AM and is only open to Annual Course attendees. If you are planning to join us, please RSVP in the link below.

SGNA has launched a new SGNA Glossary in our online Communities! In this brand new Community page, you can search for GI-related terms, add terms, comment with examples of cases, and even add to other's definitions. Expand your GI knowledge and share definitions within your unit--all from SGNA Communities.

Submit your Resolution Forms by February 28th!

Resolutions are an opportunity for members to present issues and ideas to the SGNA Board of Directors. It is your opportunity to present resolutions that represent the concerns in the profession, and be the voice within the grassroots SGNA Organization.

The deadline for submitting a resolution has been extended to February 28th. We encourage you to fill out the Resolution Form below and email it to info@sgna.org or mail it to SGNA Headquarters no later than Thursday, February 28th.  

Link: 2019 Resolution Form

Do you want to attend SGNA's Annual Course, but need help getting there? Apply for one of our Annual Course scholarhsips!  

First-time Attendee Scholarship:
Are you new to GI/Endoscopy and want to see all that the Annual Course has to offer? This scholarship is for you! Grants will be awarded each spring to those members who meet the established criteria. The number and amount of grants awarded will depend upon funds available. Download the scholarship form.

Annual Course Scholarships 
SGNA Annual Course Scholarships have been established to financially assist SGNA members with attendance at the SGNA Annual Course. Grants of will be awarded each spring to those members who meet the established criteria. The number and amount of grants awarded will depend upon funds available. Download the scholarship form.

Newest recommendation from the FDA:
The FDA Provided Interim Results of Duodenoscope Reprocessing Studies Conducted in Real-World Settings.