Education News.

The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) is a federation of 45 national anesthesia organizations. Among its activities are setting global standards for anesthesia practice, patient monitoring, and anesthesia education, as well as creating a code of ethics. This article focuses on the use of its education standards as the foundation for the International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists' Anesthesia Program Approval Process.

The influence of perioperative care and treatment on the 4-month outcome in elderly patients with hip fracture.

The purpose of this descriptive cohort study was to identify perioperative risk factors associated with postoperative outcome up to 4 months after surgery in elderly patients with hip fracture. Data were collected prospectively through the Swedish National Hip Fracture, the local Acute and Emergency, and Anesthesia registers, and retrospectively from medical and nursing records. The 428 patients (aged > or = 65 years) with hip fracture were consecutively included.

Factors at admission associated with 4 months outcome in elderly patients with hip fracture.

The purpose of this descriptive cohort study was to describe patients with hip fracture on the basis of ASA physical status and to identify preoperative risk factors associated with postoperative outcome up to 4 months after surgery. Data were collected prospectively through the Swedish National Hip Fracture and Anesthetic registers and retrospectively from medical and nursing records. The 428 patients (aged > or = 65 years) with hip fracture were consecutively included.

Influence of optimised treatment of people with hip fracture on time to operation, length of hospital stay, reoperations and mortality within 1 year.

Hip fractures are a major cause of hospital stay among the elderly, and result in increased disability and mortality. In this study from 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004, the influence of optimised treatment of hip fracture on time to operation, length of hospital stay, reoperations and mortality within 1 year were investigated. Comparisons were made between the first 210 patients in the period and the last 210 patients, who followed the new clinical pathway introduced at the University Hospital in Lund, Sweden.

Nutritional status among patients with hip fracture in relation to pressure ulcers.

Background & Aims: Patients with a hip fracture often have a poor nutritional status that is associated with increased risk of complications, morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an improved care intervention in relation to nutritional status and pressure ulcers. An intervention of best practices for patients with hip fracture was introduced, using the available resources effectively and efficiently with a not too complicated or expensive intervention.

The Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) scale: a systematic review.

Background/objective: The Organic Brain Syndrome (OBS) Scale was developed to determine elderly patients' disturbances of awareness and orientation as to time, place and own identity, and assessment of various emotional and behavioural symptoms appearing in delirium, dementia and other organic mental diseases. The aim of the study was to examine the OBS Scale, using the eight criteria and guidelines formulated by the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Medical Outcomes Trust (SAC), and to investigate its relevance and suitability for use in various clinical settings.

Method: Systematic search and analysis of papers (30) on the OBS Scale were carried out using the criteria suggested by the SAC.