HOUSE RESOLUTION NO.4684, by Representative Appleton

     WHEREAS, The interests of the nearly three hundred registered perianesthesia nurses in Washington are embodied by the Northwest PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association and the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses; and
     WHEREAS, The American people's needs are met by the skilled and qualified hands of the members who make up the perianesthesia nurse community; and
     WHEREAS, Perianesthesia nurses practice in all phases of preanesthesia and postanesthesia care, ambulatory surgery, pain management, and special procedure areas; and
     WHEREAS, The Northwest PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association and the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses strive to adhere to high standards of care; and
     WHEREAS, Advanced medical technology and the increasing availability of health care will create an increased demand for perianesthesia nurses; and
     WHEREAS, Perianesthesia nursing is essential in the quality of health care and the safety of patients who are in hospital and ambulatory surgery settings; and
     WHEREAS, The American health care system holds perianesthesia nurses as invaluable professionals whose care, knowledge, and character are a testament to their personal will to help those who are in need; and
     WHEREAS, Along with the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, the Northwest PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association has declared the week of February 4–10, 2008, as PeriAnesthesia Nurse Awareness Week, with the theme of "Be the Voice: Advocacy Through Education, Research and Legislative Involvement" in celebration of the ways perianesthesia nurses strive to advance nursing practices;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives ask all residents of our state to join us in honoring the perianesthesia nurses who care so unselfishly and proficiently for us all; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That Washingtonians celebrate the accomplishments of perianesthesia nurses and their fervent efforts to improve the quality of patient care, not just during this special week, but throughout the year.