APRIL 1994. VOL 59. NO 4 AORN JOURNAL

chapter-by-chapter organization. The appropri- ate audience for this text is the new learner or the technically or practically trained individual who is new to the OR.

This text covers the field of surgical technol- ogy from its early history to its present-day role in the OR. The importance of the technologist’s role is discussed. The book also discusses OR personnel, the structure and design aspects of ORs, and the special fields of surgery, includ- ing basic procedures.

Even though this is a revised edition, not all of the equipment mentioned in the book is cur- rent. For example, the book does not discuss the latest model or methods of using the der- matome discussed in the plastic reconstructive chapter, even though a newer model has been available since 1990.

This text is a good reference and teaching guide for the basic learner who is new to the oper- ating room. I recommend it as a basic reference for designing adult learning programs for orien- tees. This book is available from W B Saunders Co, 6277 Sea Harbor Dr. Orlando, FL 32821.

JANET CLAMON, RN, CNOR, C STAFF NURSE/OR,

VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER HOUSTON

TEAM LEADERPLASTIC SERVICE

TRAUMA

Trauma Nursing: The Art and Science By Janet A . Neff, Pamela S. Kidd I993 ~ 807 p p $49.95 hardcover

I enjoyed this book. The authors did an excel- lent job compiling chapters that trace the evolu- tion of nursing care as it relates to the trauma patient. Not only does this book address the physiological areas that require treatment and care, but it also includes chapters on trauma quality management, trauma prevention, and legal issues salient to trauma.

This book examines the nurse’s role in the treatment of trauma patients, rather than just examining the physician’s role. This approach

adds a special dimension to the text. This book is unique because each chapter contains a clinical case and questions that encourage the reader to apply the chapter’s concepts. A list of resources also is included at the end of each chapter.

I enjoyed seeing the perioperative nurse’s role addressed in a book about trauma, because I believe the perioperative nursing phase of the patient’s care is an important and usually recur- ring chapter in the trauma patient’s story.

This book is available from Mosby-Year Book, Inc, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63 146-33 18, and I recommend it for any nurse who works or is planning to work in a trauma center.

NADINE KOSTYK-MARIOTTI, RN, BSN, CNOR CLINICAL EDUCATOR/OR

HARBORVIEW MEDICAL CENTER SEATLE

WRITING

Health Professionals Stylebook: Putting Your Language to Work By Shirley H . Fondiller, Barbara .I. Nei-one 1993,128 p p $25.95 paperback

This is a writer’s handbook for health care pro- fessionals. The material is presented clearly in a format that is easy to use. Common chal- lenges to these writers are addressed, including the proper use of terms related to health care and the interpretation of acronyms and abbrevi- ations used in nursing and health-related fields. Acronyms and abbreviations are listed alpha- betically with clear explanations.

This book includes writing techniques that are useful for all authors and provides tech- niques to simplify language and sentences, reduce redundancy, and clarify statements. Common prefixes and suffixes used in medical writing are presented, and words commonly misspelled in professional writing are listed. There also is information regarding computer software that can edit, check spelling, and out- line presentations.

College students and health care professionals

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share common goals when writing and submit- ting manuscripts, and their overall writing style will determine readers’ impressions. This writ- ing stylebook is useful for all authors but par- ticularly those writing about health care.

It is a formidable challenge to write well. This book should be kept on hand to help authors meet this objective. This book is avail- able from the National League for Nursing, 350 Hudson St, New York, NY 10014.

JANICE DAVIS, RN, MSN, CNOR

WOLFSON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL JACKSONVILLE, FLA

DIRECTORPEDIATRIC SURGERY

PATIENT TEACHING

Medication Teaching Aids Edited by June Norris 1994,376 p p $29.95 paperback

This helpful book provides easy-to-read, easy- to-understand, and easy-to-reproduce patient- teaching tools. Patients sometimes are placed on medication therapies and do not understand what and why they are taking a specific medi- cation; therefore, providing patients with clear, concise, easy-to-understand information on medications that they may need for health pro- motion is important.

The book’s format is basic. It gives the patient information on how to take the medica- tion, what to do if he or she misses a dose, and what to do about side effects. The book dis- cusses the effects of alcohol on medication therapy, special directions, and important reminders. Each handout provides a space for the health care provider to write additional instructions, if necessary. The print is large, and the language is simple.

The book’s style is exceptional. It is clear and concise and provides the patient with the information necessary for safe and effective medication therapy. Handouts that use generic names of medications and provide brief descriptions of possible brand names may be helpful to patients. The book is adept at

explaining how to administer both simple and complex medication therapies. The supportive measures section helps provide patients a holis- tic focus of care with medication therapy.

The book is a cost-effective tool for patient education because health care professionals can reproduce the instructions as often as desired. Patients may be more likely to comply with written instructions that they can take home to refer to as needed.

This book is an excellent patient teaching tool. It is valuable in my current practice. I do not expect patients to always remember oral instructions, so, by using these teaching aids, I feel confident that my patients know and under- stand their prescribed medication therapies.

This book is available from Springhouse Publishing Co, 11 1 1 Bethlehem Pike, P 0 Box 908, Springhouse, PA 19477.

JANN L. MIEHL, RN, MSN, CNOR

HCA PARKWAY MEDICAL CENTER STAFF NURSE

LITHA SPRINGS. GA

ETHICS

Health Care Ethics Committees: The Next Generation By Judith W. Ross et a1 1 9 9 3 , 1 9 8 ~ ~ $34 AHA members, $45 nonmembers, paperback

This book contains a wealth of material for those setting up ethics committees or trying to improve existing ethics committees. The book explains that one ethics committee is not like another and there is no easy formula for what a “typical” ethics committee is likely to address. Thc authors have gathered information from existing ethics committees across the country. This information has been distilled into a user-friendly format that is a springboard for guidance.

The book explains that ethics committees should be personalized to the institutions that they serve. Some ethics committees are educa- tionally based, striving to educate both commit- tee members and employees of the facility; oth- ers write policies and procedures concerning

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