Orthopaedic Complications: Quick Reference Guide In orthopaedics, there are many potential complications that may either be life-threatening or limb-threatening. Fat embolism, pulmonary embolism, and even hemorrhage may be life-threatening. Acute compartment syndrome, infection, and malunion or nonunion of a fracture can lead to loss of a limb or impaired limb functioning. Pain, if unrelieved, may cause physical and psychosocial impairment and is a priority concern from the patient's perspective. This guide is designed for the orthopaedic care provider to serve as a quick reference when reviewing these complications. It may be used as an educational tool in a handout or an enlarged poster format as a reminder of what to assess, what diagnostic tests to anticipate, and what interventions are necessary in these situations. Promotion of understanding of orthopaedic complications is important for their prevention, early recognition, and effective treatment to promote positive patient outcomes.

The practice of out-lying patients is dangerous: a multicentre comparison study of nursing care provided for trauma patients. (Injury. 2005 Jun;36(6):710-3. Epub 2005 Mar 24.) Pressure for acute hospital beds is a national problem with many acute trauma patients being admitted to non-trauma wards. This prospective multicentre questionnaire study of 220 qualified trauma and non-trauma nurses aims to compare the quality of nursing care that trauma patients receive when admitted to trauma wards and non-trauma wards. The questions included the nursing management of common fractures and post-operative conditions. The completed questionnaires were scored and the results analysed. Hundred percent of the questionnaires were completed and returned. The trauma nurses conveyed the importance of ice (85%) and elevation (97%) in the initial management of limb fractures. This compares with ice (10%) and elevation (50%) on the outlying wards. Trauma nurses correctly monitor for potentially devastating post-operative complications and compartment syndrome 87% of the time compared with 42% on outlying wards. Spinal injuries are managed appropriately 88% of the time on trauma wards compared with 36% on outlying wards. Trauma patients receive better nursing care when admitted to a trauma ward and are nursed by trauma nurses. Many of the out-lying wards provide sub-optimal trauma nursing care and a few are positively dangerous. We suggest that trauma patients should not be nursed on outlying wards.

Orthopedic complications. Compartment syndrome, fat embolism syndrome, and venous thromboembolism Nurs Clin North America 1991 Mar;26(1):113-32

Is the nursing care you give to prevent or manage complications as effective as it could be? Here you'll learn which interventions are here to stay (at least for now) and which ones are on the way out. Nursing, Oct 1999