35th Annual Course • Salt Lake City, UT • May 16-21, 2008

SGNA Headquarters Staff is heading to Salt Lake City, UT for the SGNA 35th Annual Course on May 14th and will return to Chicago on May 22nd. If you need to speak with SGNA Headquarters regarding an urgent issue during this time, please call them at the SGNA Headquarters office in Salt Lake City at: 801/534-4742 beginning Thursday, May 15th at 8:00 am Mountain Time (MT) through Wednesday, May 21st at 12:00 noon MT. For all other requests or inquiries, please e-mail SGNA@smithbucklin.com or leave a message at 800/245-7462. Staff will be checking e-mail and voicemail while we are at the conference. Thank you!

Click here to register for the SGNA 35th Annual Course.

Click here to reserve your housing.

Click here to view and print the SGNA 35th Annual Course Travel Checklist.

Click here to view SGNA President Sandy Cialfi's invitation to you.

Click here to view the 2008 SGNA Interactive Annual Course Advance Program.

*All interactive links are in teal.

Click here to view the Advanced Practice Provider Course Brochure.

Click here to see why you should attend SGNA's 35th Annual Course. And, print this page to show the value of attending to your supervisor.

Click here for travel information.

Click here for exhibitor/vendor information.

Click here to view Vendor Programs.

Click here for sponsor information.

Speakers

If you are a speaker, click here.

Please contact Lyndsay Graham at SGNA Headquarters at 800/245-7462 with any questions regarding speaking at the SGNA Annual Course.

Updates

Session ES-14 has changed from "Contemporary Issues for GI Techs and Associates" to "Infection Control in the GI – A Holistic Approach.”

Speaker: Wallace Puckett, PhD
All Levels, Ambulatory/Management/Associate/Research Content

Description: The intent of this course is to provide a high level review of current standards and practices toward infection control in the GI. While the central focus of infection control is on the reprocessing of endoscopes, attention should also be paid to other potential contributors to patient and staff infection. To that end, this course will take a broader view and review the following areas in a comprehensive infection control program:

1.) Cleaning and Disinfection of Environmental Surfaces
2.) Hand Hygiene
3.) Disinfection and Sterilization of GI Endoscopes
4.) Guidelines for the Use of High Level Disinfectants and Sterilants
5.) Personal Protective Equipment

Other issues in comprehensive infection control programs are also important but will not be covered in this course. The course will provide a renewed interest in these areas of infection control by detailing the latest research and findings in both new and existing threats from microorganisms to the health and safety of both patients and GI staff.

Session CS-63 has changed from "How's Your Nursing 'Legalese?'– Understanding the Primary Legal Influences on Your Nursing Practice" to "Nurses' Use of Online Resources.”

Speaker: Cheri Bellamy, BSN RN CGRN
All Levels, Ambulatory/Management Content

Description: Acquisition of health information is changing. Nurses' use of online resources is becoming important in our internet world. Determining credible online consumer health information Web sites for gastroenterology patient education and self-care promotion is a challenge. A selected critique tool is used to determine the credibility of Web sites in order to develop a resource guide of URL's for patient teaching. Utilizing computers and online resources at the nurse's station, along with URL links such as MedlinePlus and Pub Med is discussed.

Session ES-5 has changed from "LPNs/LVNs as Charge Nurse: Our Roles, Responsibilities and Limitations" to "The Buck Stops Here.”

Speaker: Shelley Riddle, BA MBA LPN CGN
All Levels, Other Content

Description: This session will discuss the scope of practice of LPNs/LVNs across the country. It will touch on the cost analysis of LPN/LVN versus the associate, and list pros and cons of using LPNs/LVNs versus associates for quality patient care.

Session CS-54 has changed from "Gastroparesis and Gastric Electrical Stimulation (the Gastric Pacemaker)" to “Gastroparesis and Gastric Electrical Stimulation.”

Speaker: Michael F. Elmore, MD FACP FACG FACN
All Levels, Research/Experienced Nurse Content

Description: The description has remained the same.

Session CS-17 has changed from "How to Keep Your Best People: Employee Retention and Engagement" to "The Power of the Gastroenterology Nurse to Make a Difference in Customer/Patient Satisfaction.

Speaker: Maureen Mehelic, BS RN CGRN
All Levels, Ambulatory/Management Content

Description: This presentation will focus on ways to exceed expectations of your customers. Recommendations and guidelines to promote better outcomes will be discussed. Techniques that remove barriers, thus enabling tour staff to make a difference will be explored. Learn ways to assist your staff in adapting to change.

Session ES-6 has been updated by the speaker to “SGNA Standards of Infection Control in Reprocessing of Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopes 2008”.

Description: This presentation will review the SGNA Standards for Infection Control in Endoscopy specifically highlighting the most recent review by the Practice Committee.

"While attending college in 1980, I joined the world of Endoscopy, I fell in love with my work and never looked back. I became a member of the SGNA family in 1985. Attending my 1st Annual Course that year in New York City. I have continued to attend them ever since (and yes you can easily compare them to to a family reunion with all the fun, but I always learn a bunch too). SGNA members and activities have been a giant blessing in my life. I have had the honor of working side by side with some incredible and energetic people dedicated to the mission of SGNA on the program committee, as well as many other committee's. I have traveled and taught across the globe, as we share one strong common bond...our passion for G.I. education. When certification was available to associates I was certified, I currently advocate for better ways to validate the knowledge and skills of our Associates. SGNA provides so much to each of it's members, including great opportunities for Associates."
-- Gail Greco-Bieri