OR nurse who is MSN student looking for orthopedic OR research ideas

mmmmm · Jan 25, 2005

Does anybody have any ideas for a research project that could be done in relation to nursing in an orthopedic context. I am looking for some fresh new ideas or something that has been done before but could be repeated for further verification. I have to come up with the statement of the problem, the overall immediate objectives for the proposed project with longterm goals by next week. I am at a loss. Any ideas? Thanks!

stevierae · Jan 25, 2005

Does anybody have any ideas for a research project that could be done in relation to nursing in an orthopedic context. I am looking for some fresh new ideas or something that has been done before but could be repeated for further verification. I have to come up with the statement of the problem, the overall immediate objectives for the proposed project with longterm goals by next week. I am at a loss. Any ideas? Thanks!

I don't know if this has been done before--but, if not, you could do a study of whether total joint protocol really cuts down on the incidence of post-op infections s/p total joint arthroplasty--and also whether the use of laminar flow and/or "space suits" (that is, the total joint gear the surgical team wears, with hoods) makes a difference. You could also research whether intraop antibiotic irrigation makes a difference. For as long as I have been practicing, orthopods RELIGIOUSLY irrigate with either Kantrex 1 Gm./L NS or RL, or Bacitracin 50,000 U (sometimes combined with Neosporin or Aerosporin)/L NS or RL.

I am thinking these studies may have ALREADY been done, since many of us have noticed a trend toward not using total joint protocol--but that could be a regional trend. Shodobe and I practice in CA.

Damn, I am glad not to be in school anymore!!!

stevierae · Jan 25, 2005

Does anybody have any ideas for a research project that could be done in relation to nursing in an orthopedic context. I am looking for some fresh new ideas or something that has been done before but could be repeated for further verification. I have to come up with the statement of the problem, the overall immediate objectives for the proposed project with longterm goals by next week. I am at a loss. Any ideas? Thanks!

I don't know if this has been done before--but, if not, you could do a study of whether total joint protocol really cuts down on the incidence of post-op infections s/p total joint arthroplasty--and also whether the use of laminar flow and/or "space suits" (that is, the total joint gear the surgical team wears, with hoods) makes a difference. You could also research whether intraop antibiotic irrigation makes a difference. For as long as I have been practicing, orthopods RELIGIOUSLY irrigate with either Kantrex 1 Gm./L NS or RL, or Bacitracin 50,000 U (sometimes combined with Neosporin or Aerosporin)/L NS or RL.

I am thinking these studies may have ALREADY been done, since many of us have noticed a trend toward not using total joint protocol--but that could be a regional trend. Shodobe and I practice in CA.

Damn, I am glad not to be in school anymore!!!

JaneRNBSN · Nov 10, 2005

How about this one?

WHAT MAKES ORTHOPODS SUCH ASSHOLES?????

BernadetteRNBSN · Nov 10, 2005

how about a research project on patient recovery from ceramic hips vs titanium hips/stainless steel and compare recovery(lenght of time before ambulation) to the type of hip replacements used 10 years ago. and you could tie in how long it took to get completely back to their ADLs.

or you could compare pt education before surgery (pt education about hip replacement, ie, details of surgery, type of pain;pain score, diet, ROM, ambulation, assistive devices, etc.) and if it helped improve with (pt. knowledge) recovery after surgery.

or compare infection rates in pts who had anitbiotics in the irrigation used in their surgery vs patients who did not have antibiotics in the irrigation.

SFCardiacRN · Nov 11, 2005

I agree with Jane! Compare infection rates with how orthopods treat nurses. Where I work, the biggest A..hole has by far the most infections. The nicest one has the least.

grimmy, RN · Nov 20, 2005

don't worry about choosing a research project that has already been covered in some way - the important point about research is that good research is repeatable, and should be repeated. debunking bad research can only be done when its been reviewed by fresh eyes - yours! where i work there are some that use the space suits, and some that don't. what interests me the most are the total joints where certain doors into the working or are off limits to all personnel - laminar flow issues. this kind of research is really tough because of sampling problems (sampling of air). perhaps you can look at issues that relate to any or situation: relationships within the or environment? seems certain ortho docs attitudes may change the behavior of their team members. team work is a great research subject.