International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing RSS feed: Articles in Press. 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//inpress?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing1878-12412012-02-17 © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111001523/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Background: There are a number of factors, such as preoperative Length Of hospital Stay (LOS), that effect treatment outcomes following proximal hip fracture. Much of this is not completely understood.Objective: To determine whether co-morbidities, complications and patients’ abnormal laboratory findings at admission have an effect on LOS and related complications during hospitalization for hip fracture treatment in a Greek hospital.Design: Prospective observational descriptive study.Setting: A high volume orthopedic ward of a general hospital in Greece, from March to October 2008.Patients: In total, 253 consecutive patients hospitalized for hip fracture treatment in an orthopedic ward of a large Greek hospital were included in the study. All complications, LOS and parameters of clinical history and treatment were recorded.Results: The mean age of the sample was 79.68years. Only 29.3% of the patients were operated within the first 2days, as the mean preoperative LOS was 3.71days, leading to a total LOS of 9.68days. Preoperative LOS increases somewhat in patients with heart failure and previous cerebrovascular accident. LOS increases when patients present with cardiac complications, respiratory complications, fever and anemia. Complications correlate with the type of patients’ co-morbidities. Abnormal laboratory findings at admission correlate to the type of preoperative complications.Discussion: LOS, mortality and complication rates in the study hospital are comparable to the findings reported in the literature.Predictive factors for in-hospital stay and complications after hip fracture - Corrected ProofPanagiota P. Copanitsanou, Joseph Liaskos, Theodoros C. Tsarouchas10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.12.005International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing (2012)2012-02-17International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2012-02-17http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000906/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: The combination of postoperative pain from total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and the pain associated with early ambulation and rehabilitation creates significant issues as to how to manage both the acute pain and the need for rehabilitation. Conventional methods of simply providing opioid analgesia are moderately effective, however they do not have as superior analgesia effect when compared to femoral and sciatic nerve block. A thorough review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of combined femoral and sciatic nerve blocks in adults undergoing TKA. The evidence demonstrated that perioperative use of femoral and sciatic nerve blocks are effective in reducing postoperative pain, decreasing opioid consumption, decreasing length of stay, improved inpatient rehabilitation and improved patient satisfaction.Femoral and sciatic nerve blocks for total knee arthroplasty postoperative analgesia. A systematic review of current evidence - Corrected ProofBryan Tune10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.11.003International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing (2012)2012-02-13International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2012-02-13http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000712/abstract?rss=yesSummary: To undergo orthopaedic surgery and then return home the same day is becoming more common. People feel there are benefits with day surgery as it affects their daily life less than having to spend several days in hospital. The aim of this study was to describe people’s experience of being awake while undergoing orthopaedic surgery under regional anaesthesia. Ten people who had orthopaedic day surgery under regional anaesthesia participated; eight women and two men. Data were collected in personal, qualitative interviews and analysed using qualitative thematic content analysis. The analysis resulted in two themes and seven categories. The findings show that the staffs’ consideration and professionalism were significant for the participants’ wellbeing during surgery. The environment in the operating theatre ward is described as inspiring safety, calm and warmth. A good exchange of information between the person who will undergo orthopaedic surgery and the nurse does not depend primarily on how long they spend together; it is more about how they make contact with each other and how the nurse’s presence is experienced by the person.The experience of being awake during orthopaedic surgery under regional anaesthesia - Corrected ProofMaria Bergman, Monica Stenudd, Åsa Engström10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.08.004International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing (2011)2011-12-12International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-12-12http://www.orthopaedictraumanursing.com/article/PIIS1878124111000438/abstract?rss=yesAbstract: Aim: To compare the care processes and outcomes during hospitalisation of hip-fracture patients in Japan and the United States as well as to examine the relationship between care processes, postoperative complications and mortality.Methods: This was a retrospective multi-site study. Data were collected from three hospitals in Japan and two in the USA. Participants (⩾65years) had undergone hip-fracture surgery in one of these hospitals from August 2005 to September 2007. A mail survey was conducted for collecting data on outcomes after discharge.Results: The number of days before surgery and before initial ambulation after surgery was significantly longer in Japan than in the USA. After adjusting for patient characteristics, the incidence of complications was significantly higher in the USA. General anaesthesia delayed the postoperative day on which patients first got out of bed; blood transfusions were significantly associated with a higher incidence of complications. The type of surgery and delayed postoperative day on which patients first got out of bed were significantly associated with higher mortality.Conclusions: Incidence of complications was significantly higher in the USA. An extremely short length of hospital stay because of a prospective payment system may degrade the quality of care and patient outcomes.Comparison of care process and patient outcomes after hip-fracture surgery in acute-care hospitals in Japan and the United States - Corrected ProofAkiko Kondo, Brenda K. Zierler, Hiroshi Hagino10.1016/j.ijotn.2011.07.001International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing (2011)2011-09-02International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing2011-09-02