Chris Arslanian’s research while affiliated with Rapid City Regional Hospital and other places

The purpose of this study was to determine national practice patterns for common nursing procedures related to the care of total hip and total knee patients. This was a comparative descriptive study utilizing a survey developed by the NAON Total Joint Special Interest Group. Two hundred eight-seven valid surveys were completed by NAON members. An average of 226 total knee replacements (TKR) and 183 total hip replacements (THR) were performed annually per facility. Data about perioperative practices, postoperative activity practices, use of equipment, anticoagulation practices, and discharge practices (including length of stay) were collected. Knowledge of national practice patterns and incorporation of the information into clinical practice can reduce the patient's risk of unsafe or ineffective care while promoting positive patient outcomes. Nurses can use these data to adjust clinical pathways and practice standards to improve patient outcomes.

One way to build knowledge in nursing is to share research findings or clinical program outcomes. The dissemination of these findings is often a difficult final step in a project that has taken months or years to complete. One method of sharing findings in a relaxed and informal setting is a poster presentation. This method is an effective form for presenting findings using an interactive approach. The milieu of a poster presentation enables the presenters to interact and dialogue with colleagues. Guidelines for size and format require that the poster is clear and informative. Application of design helps to create visually appealing posters. This article summarizes elements of designing and conducting a poster presentation.

This study identified current orthopaedic nursing research priorities that should be investigated to advance the practice of orthopaedic nursing. The study was accomplished by the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses' (NAON) Research Committee via a national survey of selected NAON members. A descriptive design was used to determine research priorities. The sample consisted of a random sample of 133 NAON members. The sample was stratified for either graduate degrees (> or = master's), other than a graduate degree (< or = bachelor's) (to insure representation from "frontline" practicing nurses), and registrants in the NAON Researcher Database and recipients of NAON Foundation or American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)/NAON grants. A three round Delphi survey technique was used to build consensus by systematically generating, synthesizing, and analyzing opinions of a group of experts while maintaining confidentiality of the individuals. MAIN RESEARCH CLASSIFICATIONS: Nursing research priorities, Delphi method, Orthopaedic nursing. The nine target research questions for orthopaedic nursing identified as high priority were grouped into the following categories: patient acuity, care delivery models, staffing issues, patient complications, pain management (in the elderly and those with altered mental status), and patient mobility. These research priority items are intended to direct the orthopaedic nurse researcher to study specific questions within these categories. Results reflect the dramatic changes occurring in orthopaedic nursing practice. Research priorities reveal the need for more research on pain and patient complications (e.g., deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) despite a preponderance of existing, published research on these topics. This study identified target research questions for orthopaedic nursing. These questions may be used by orthopaedic nurses to develop nursing research proposals as well as collaborative research endeavors with other members of the orthopaedic health care team. An ongoing and wider dissemination of results of existing research to the NAON membership needs to be implemented.