Orthopedic nursing practice guidelines. The NAON Standards Task Force.

The NAON Standards Task Force has revised Orthopaedic Nursing: Process and Outcome Criteria for Selected Nursing Diagnoses published jointly by the American Nurses' Association (ANA) and NAON in 1986. The new document is entitled Orthopaedic Nursing Practice Guidelines. It contains guidelines for the care of orthopaedic patients with 11 selected nursing diagnoses and is an important decision-making tool for orthopaedic nurses. This article contains excerpts from the new guidelines with suggestions for its use.

Organizing and implementing an Ilizarov program.

The Ilizarov external fixator has made a profound impact on orthopaedic science. With its circular design, it allows correction of three-dimensional deformities including rotation, angulation, translation, shortening, and widening, as well as lengthening and soft tissue defects. Because this device is largely patient centered and patient operated, it has presented a new challenge and career investment for the orthopaedic nurse. A comprehensive Ilizarov program is necessary to address the total patient and his multiple needs in any facility where the Ilizarov method of treatment is adopted. The Ilizarov program is a multidisciplinary team approach that provides a structure for administering and providing total patient care for the Ilizarov patient and his significant other(s).