International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing RSS feed: Current Issue. The International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing is a peer-reviewed journal that seeks to promote the development and exchange of specialist knowledge within orthopaedic and trauma practice. The journal is devoted to nurses and other health professionals involved in the care of patients with orthopaedic and associated traumatic conditions. Following on from the tradition of the Journal of Orthopaedic Nursing , the journal aims to promote best practice through the dissemination of high quality research findings, debate within practice, exploration of professional issues and the development of health care practice as well as innovative roles. The journal publishes a wide range of papers from primary research and evidence updates to personal reflections on practice, education and management issues. Supporting sections include literature reviews, book reviews and international policy digests and Letters to the Editor and Editorials are encouraged which shed additional perspectives on papers published in the journal and matters affecting orthopaedic and trauma practice. The mission of the journal is to facilitate global networking that results in the sharing of evidence-based practice, the dissemination of ideas and knowledge amongst orthopaedic and trauma nurses alongside other members of the health care team, including the organisations which support such practitioners in developing their knowledge and practice. The editorial team encourages and supports contributions from both experienced and first time authors. http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing1878-1241161February 2012 © 2011 Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000943/abstract?rss=yesEditorial Board/Title Page10.1016/S1878-1241(11)00094-3International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2012-02-01International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2012-02-01161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9iihttp://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000888/abstract?rss=yesOrthopaedic nurses in the northern hemisphere are, at the time of going to press, in the midst of winter whilst those in the southern hemisphere may be looking ahead to theirs. Even in these times of instability of global climate, the changing of the seasons is almost a certainty; depending, of course, on how far from the equator you are. The weather is an obsession in many cultures – not least here in the UK, where we are renowned for our passion for discussing the vagaries of the British weather and its changeability – both as a topic of conversation and a source of media interest. Weather is the focus of much story telling, folklore and myth in any part of the world because of the way in which it impacts on the lives of individuals and communities.Weather watchingJulie Santy-Tomlinson10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.11.001International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-11-28International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-11-28161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Editorial12http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS187812411100030X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Aim: The aim of the study was to describe registered and enrolled nurses’ perceptions of how they assess patients’ pain, nutrition and skin.Introduction: Planning for pain, nutrition and skin care management is an essential part of nursing. In Sweden, it is common that registered and enrolled nurses work together in the care of patients.Method: Interviews with nine registered and nine enrolled nurses were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results: One theme; blurring boundaries between registered and enrolled nurses regarding pain, nutrition and skin suit assessments was identified. The manifest content of interviews is described in four categories: nurse–patient interaction, using oneself as a tool, collaborating with colleagues and listening to patients’ next of kin.Conclusion: The analysis showed a blurring of boundaries between RNs and ENs regarding pain, nutrition and skin suit assessments. How they perform their assessments conforms to a large extent. However, even if the activities are the same, the education levels of RNs and ENs are different and therefore the assessment of the patients might be different in clinical practice. Taking the results into account it is important that RNs and ENs collaborate regarding assessment of the patients’ pain, nutrition and skin suit.Assessments of patients’ pain, nutrition and skin in clinical practice: Registered and enrolled nurses’ perceptionsCarina Bååth, Bodil Wilde-Larsson, Ewa Idvall, Marie-Louise Hall-Lord10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.04.001International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-08-16International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-08-16161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Original Articles312http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000335/abstract?rss=yesSummary: Aim: To evaluate changes in ambulatory orthopaedic surgery patients’ symptoms during the surgical process and to compare whether the two different patient education methods had an effect on patients’ symptoms during the ambulatory surgical process.Design: A randomised controlled trial was used. Ambulatory orthopaedic surgery patients in one university hospital in Finland participated in the study.Methods: Patients were randomised to either an experiment group (n=72) that received Internet-based patient education or to a control group (n=75) that received face-to-face education with a nurse. Data were collected at seven different time points during the surgical process. A structured instrument called “The Symptoms” with a visual analogue scale was used. Results were statistically analyzed.Results: Ambulatory orthopaedic surgery patients had few severe symptoms during the surgical process. Severity of symptoms changed during the surgical process. The severity of symptoms did not decrease after the patient education, and they were highest on the first post-operative day. There were no differences in the symptoms of patients in the two groups.Conclusion: Patients symptoms’ were dependent of the surgical process and were strongest right after the surgery. Thus, both education methods can be recommended equally when working with ambulatory orthopaedic surgery patients.Ambulatory orthopaedic surgery patients’ symptoms with two different patient education methodsKatja Heikkinen, Helena Leino-Kilpi, Tero Vahlberg, Sanna Salanterä10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.04.004International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-08-05International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-08-05161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Original Articles1320http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000402/abstract?rss=yesSummary: The aim of this study was to describe critical care nurses’ experiences of nursing patients suffering from trauma. Eight critical care nurses were interviewed. Qualitative thematic content analysis was applied to the data and resulted in one theme; ‘Needing to feel in control and part of a team’, with six categories; ‘different ways of dealing with uncertainty’, ‘feelings of responsibility and security’, ‘wanting to relieve the pain’, ‘supporting the relatives’, ‘suppressing one’s own feelings’, and ‘reflecting over one’s work’. The findings show the importance of preparation for caring for a patient suffering from trauma. Standardized care of the patient according to Advanced Trauma Life Support was described as a good basis, but for the quality of care to be good this always had to be complemented with personal nursing care for the patient and care for their relatives. This study contributes knowledge about meeting critically ill patients suffering from trauma and suggestions about how to cope with thoughts that might arise after a serious situation in nursing care.Nursing patients suffering from trauma: Critical care nurses narrate their experiencesMadelene Boström, Klara Magnusson, Åsa Engström10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.06.002International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-08-04International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-08-04161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Original Articles2129http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000414/abstract?rss=yesSummary: Few studies have explored psychosocial factors affecting depression, anxiety and quality of life (QOL) among adults with external fixation devices (EFDs). This cross-sectional study investigated whether maladaptive and adaptive coping and locus of control predicted these outcomes. Forty-seven participants, recruited from online support groups, completed an 86-item online questionnaire. Maladaptive coping e.g. denial, self-blame, substance-abuse and behavioural disengagement significantly predicted high anxiety and depression and lower psychological and social QOL. Adaptive coping e.g. active-coping and acceptance predicted higher psychological QOL. Results emphasise the importance of supporting EFD patients in developing adaptive coping strategies during, but also after, fixation.Investigating the relationship between coping, quality of life and depression/anxiety in patients with external fixation devicesSandi Dheensa, Shirley Thomas10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.06.003International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-12-16International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-12-16161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Original Articles3038http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000426/abstract?rss=yesSummary: Background: Tape blisters are common in orthopaedic patients. The method used for covering the surgical field may be an independent risk factor for the development of blisters.Methods: The present randomised clinical trial was conducted to compare two different methods of draping at hip replacement surgery. Patients were randomized to receive the standard or the new procedure. Presence of tape blisters after surgery along with their number, size and location was recorded for 100 patients.Results: Tape blisters developed in 30% of the patients. Women were more likely to develop tape blisters compared to men (38.6% vs. 18.6%; p=0.03). Age, surgical procedure, operating time, BMI, nutritional status, smoking history, medication, comorbidity and type of surgical incision were not significantly associated with the risk of developing tape blisters. Tape blisters were more common amongst patients treated according to the standard method (35.5% vs. 24.5%; p=0.24). However, this difference was not statistically significant.Conclusion: Women are more likely to develop tape blisters after hip surgery than men. The method used for draping might be an important factor in the development of tape blisters. Further research is required.Prevention of tape blisters after hip replacement surgery: A randomized clinical trialMonica Schwartz Sellæg, Ulla Romild, Esther Kuhry10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.06.004International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-08-18International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-08-18161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Original Articles3946http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS187812411100044X/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Aim: The aim of this study was to audit hip fracture patients’ care in Lithuania and compare it to Sweden’s, identifying the differences in Lithuania, changes required for further care improvement, for a country where no integrated care pathways had been introduced.Methods: We investigated 64 hip fracture patients treated in Lithuania and 90 hip fracture patients treated in Sweden for a period of one year according our “fast track” protocol. Information about medical interventions, mean time period from admission to surgery, length of stay in the orthopedic department, incidence of pressure ulcers and information about discharge location was collected and compared in both institutions.Results: No oxygen therapy, infusion therapy, blood sampling and ECG were conducted in Lithuania during patients’ transportation to the institution, but that was not the case in Sweden. Contrary to Lithuania, patients at Lund University Hospital do not attend the Acute & Emergency room and Swedish patients are supposed to be operated on within 24h. Time to surgery in Lithuania was more than twice as long, but a rather similar in-hospital stay was observed. However, most patients in Lithuania are discharged to a rehabilitation clinic for 18days.Conclusion: Audit results of hip fracture care in Lithuania compared to Sweden showed potentially some benefits using the hip fracture care pathway, which was particularly associated with shorter time to surgery, thus reducing the risk of complications in this vulnerable group of old patients. Making comparisons like this in other countries may be useful, but must be taken in context along with the local culture and health care system.The comparison of hip fractures care in Lithuania and SwedenRasa Valavičienė, Jūratė Macijauskienė, Alfredas Smailys, Ami Hommel10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.07.002International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-09-09International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-09-09161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Original Articles4752http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000694/abstract?rss=yesThis book was first published in 1939 and now is in its 13th edition. It is written by Roger Watson, a well published Professor of Nursing from the University of Sheffield. It is divided into six sections with posture and movement making up one of those sections, the other sections being ‘the characteristics of living matter’, ‘control and co-ordination’, ‘internal transport’, ‘nutrition and elimination’ and ‘protection and reproduction’.Rosemary Masterson10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.08.002International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-09-12International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-09-12161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Book Reviews5353http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000918/abstract?rss=yesOrthopaedic and Trauma Nursing International Focus10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.11.004International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2011-12-19International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-12-19161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9International Focus5456http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS187812411100089X/abstract?rss=yesMary Powell was born in the small village of Pulverbatch, a few miles south of Shrewsbury in the county of Shropshire, England on 28th December 1912. Mary’s father, Thomas Charles Powell, was a master grocer and he ran the village shop, together with various sidelines such as coal and animal feed. She had five sisters; Margaret, Kathleen, Diana, Joan and Dorothy. One of her earliest memories as a child is of her father leaving on horse back to go off to fight in the First World War in 1914. She remembered that the top of her head came up to about the level of his puttees (the cloth bandage covering the lower part of his leg and upper part of his boots to keep them clean), she was so young. Mary spent all of her childhood in Shropshire, growing up in the family home which also served as the village shop and post office. She attended the local village school (of which she had fond memories) until she was old enough to attend the secondary school in Shrewsbury which she disliked immensely. She became just one of a large number of children at the school and she described herself as academically low achieving as a result of this more impersonal approach to education. On leaving school ‘without any qualifications’ aged 15, her father tried to persuade her to think about becoming a teacher. She said she could not bear to be looked at in a classroom. So, she chose nursing instead.Obituary: Mary Powell OBEJulie Santy-Tomlinson, Peter Davis10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.11.002International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2012-02-01International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2012-02-01161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Obituary5759http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111001249/abstract?rss=yesEvents Diary10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.12.002International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2012-02-01International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2012-02-01161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Events Diary6061http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111001171/abstract?rss=yesAcknowledgement to Reviewers 201110.1016/j.ijotn.2011.12.001International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing 16, 1 (2012)2012-02-01International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2012-02-01161S1878-1241(11)X0005-9Acknowledgement to Reviewers 20116262