Geriatric Trauma and Frailty: Improving Outcomes Through Multidisciplinary Care.

Geriatric trauma is increasing in the United States. The care of patients with geriatric trauma is complex due to age-related changes and comorbidities. Patients with geriatric trauma have increased risk of poor outcomes compared with younger patients with trauma, and the highest risk groups are those who have frailty.

Airway Management in Trauma Patients.

Airway assessment and management is the first priority in trauma care. The airway can be compromised by traumatic injuries or altered mentation. Airway assessment is conducted during the primary survey.

Trends in Reduction of Mortality in Liver Trauma.

The liver is the most frequently damaged organ in abdominal trauma. There is a high risk of hemorrhage and mortality as severity of injury and stage increases. During the last decade, management of liver trauma standards changed when the American Association of the Surgery of Trauma adjusted their guidelines to focus on early computed tomography scanning to determine the severity of liver injury trauma and the need for surgical verses nonsurgical management.

Barriers to advanced practice registered nurse scope of practice: issue analysis.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have the unique potential to affect the changing needs of health care in the United States, but are restricted in care provision by varying state regulations and reimbursement policies. Although research shows APRN care to be safe, cost-effective, and of high quality, most medical professional organizations continue to oppose the removal of scope-of-practice barriers, citing patient safety concerns. Nursing organizations at the state and national levels have already begun to invest the time and resources needed for policy change.