TraumaCon 2024: Call for Oral and Poster Abstracts

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Monday, October 2, 2023
(Submissions will be accepted until 11:59pm PT October 2, 2023)

Click here to submit an abstract

 

The Society of Trauma Nurses invites you to submit an abstract for consideration for a poster and potential podium presentation at the 2024 annual conference in Orlando, Florida, April 10-12, 2024.

STN’s TraumaCon is designed for all healthcare providers interested in the specialty of trauma nursing.  The format is didactic with featured speakers and breakout sessions and includes special interest sessions to tailor the conference to meet individual’s interests.
 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ABSTRACT SUBMISSION

Read the following guidelines completely before you submit an abstract

1. Submission deadline is October 2, 2023. No abstracts will be accepted after the deadline.
2. Your abstract title cannot exceed 120 characters and your abstract narrative cannot exceed 5000 characters.
3. You do not have to be an STN member to submit an abstract.
4. Avoid the use of any symbols, special characters, or graphics within the abstract text.

The review of abstracts is blinded so avoid the use of identifiers. These identifiers include: specific names of countries, states, hospitals or hospital systems, specific practitioners, or any other uniquely identifying information. The abstracts will be audited for these identifiers and returned to the author for revision.  Acceptable identifiers include: level of trauma center and practice setting. (For example: Level I trauma center in an urban setting).

1. The abstract is to be original work and NOT previously published as a paper in a journal or presented orally at another conference. Posters accepted and presented at other  conference(s) are permitted.
2. All project/research submitted, must be complete with outcomes and results for consideration. If the project/research is not complete, it will not be considered for submission otherwise.
3. All abstracts must be submitted on line via the STN website. Click on “Submit an Abstract” at the end of the procedures and guidelines to access the online form or visit www.traumanurses.org.
4. Double check your abstract for typographical and grammatical errors.
5. Please discuss the submission of your abstract with the appropriate individuals in your institution prior to submission with regard to your ability to attend the conference if your abstract is selected for presentation. Please remember that any expenses associated with the preparation, printing, delivery, and presentation of a poster abstract is the responsibility of the author/presenter. If accepted, the presenter is required to pay all fees associated with the meeting including, but not limited to, travel, housing accommodations, meeting registration, etc.  

STN POSTER ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES

1. Share research findings from trauma studies.
2. Share (or disseminate) findings from evidence-based practice or performance improvement projects.
3. Share successful initiatives unique to your trauma center.
4. Share a case that contributes to trauma nursing and care.
5. Provide a forum for stimulating discussion regarding practice changes or improvements based on these studies and initiatives.
6. Represent a broad range of issues related to the trauma patient.
7. Emphasize the vital role of trauma nurses in healthcare.

ABSTRACT AUTHORS, STN CONFERENCE REGISTRATION & AWARDS

1. Up to three additional authors can be listed on the printed abstract in the conference syllabus.
2. Accepted abstracts will be required to submit the following information for each co-author (First name, Last name, Email address, and Phone number). It is vital for the e-mail address to be current and accurate since all communication with STN will be delivered via e-mail. If the presenting author contact and email address should change before the annual conference, the presenting author is responsible to provide the updated contact information to the following email address: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
3. Accepted Oral* and Poster Abstract presentation first authors must register for the conference. If the first author is unable to attend the conference, one of the other listed authors may present the poster.
4. The first author or presenting author in the absence of the first author of accepted oral* and poster abstracts will receive a reduction of $50 on the STN annual conference registration. The reduction in conference registration fee is applicable to only one author per oral* or poster abstract presentation.
5. Presenters who have multiple abstracts accepted will be eligible for only one $50 reduction in conference registration.
6. Expenses associated with the preparation, printing, delivery, and presentation of a poster abstract is the responsibility of the author/presenter. If accepted, the presenter is required to pay all fees associated with the meeting including, but not limited to, travel, housing accommodations, meeting registration, etc.
7. STN requests that posters not exceed 40”x40”. The full abstract does not have to be included on the poster.
8. Posters will be set up in the designated area and viewing will be open during the exhibit hall hours. The exhibit hall hours will be published in the conference brochure.
9. Authors will be required to present their poster to the judges at a pre-determined time. Presenters will receive their assigned date and time prior to the conference.

ABSTRACT REVIEW/ SELECTION CRITERIA

Abstracts are selected by a blind review based on the following:

1. Relevance to STN’s mission, vision, and/or values.
2. All components are complete and in the correct format.
3. RESEARCH abstracts are scored on scientific merit, clinical relevance, synthesis of the literature review, quality and implementation of the study design (including statistical measurement), evaluation of findings and next steps.
4. EVIDENCE- BASED PRACTICE abstracts are scored on the scope and significance of the practice problem, the purpose, synthesis of findings from the literature, the implementation of the project, the evaluation plan including measurement, outcomes, and implications for nursing science, patient outcomes, practice, education, leadership, and/or policy-making.
5. SHARING YOUR BEST abstracts are not subject to judging or competition and will not be eligible for oral presentations or awards.
6. CASE STUDY abstracts are eligible for oral presentations during the conference.

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE

1. Notification of selections will be emailed to all abstract authors in early December, 2023
2. Authors must RSVP acceptance to present at the conference by the prescribed due date in the notification email.

Due to time and space constraints not all abstracts can be selected for the conference. If your abstract(s) are not selected for presentation at the annual conference, you may wish to pursue the opportunity to be considered for development of your topic for the Journal of Trauma Nursing (JTN). Please indicate your interest in this additional opportunity on the abstract application by selecting the “yes” box next to “JTN”.

Oral Posters Winners

*A maximum of six poster abstracts (3 evidence based practice and 3 research) will be selected to give a brief, fifteen-minute oral presentation followed by a five minute discussion describing their research or evidenced-based practice initiative during a breakout session at the Annual Conference. The research and evidence-based podium presentations are held in separate rooms, reviewed by judges and a prize is awarded for each grouping.  In addition, all six oral winners will be mentored by a leader in the trauma field to develop a manuscript. This manuscript will receive an expedited review to be considered by the Journal of Trauma Nursing for publication. A draft manuscript will need to be submitted to the discussant no later than February 28, 2022. Due to time constraints during the concurrent sessions only one author will be permitted to present the oral presentation at the podium. All final PowerPoint presentations will be required to be submitted on a date to be determined prior to the conference and are not subject to editing or revisions after submission.

STN Trauma Manuscript Award
If you are interested in submitted for this award, please indicate in the abstract portal.  All abstracts will be considered that submit a well-developed draft manuscript will need to be submitted no later than February 28, 2024.  Mentors are available for those who need assistance.

RESEARCH ABSTRACTS

Research abstracts may focus on any aspect of trauma care including but not limited to: trauma systems, trauma education, trauma outcomes, trauma nursing practices, injury prevention, quality improvement, trauma scoring, and trauma public policy. Abstracts should describe the methods used to carry out the research, identify variables and sample size, identify protocols and instruments used for evaluation, and describe data analysis and findings. A discussion section including how your findings compare with other research findings, limitations of this work, and implications for practice and research should also be included. Research and analysis of findings must be completed prior to abstract submission.

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE ABSTRACTS

Evidence-Based practice abstracts can be submitted on a wide variety of strategies and practice innovations used to solve a difficult, unique, or interesting problem related to trauma patient care, trauma systems, trauma management, or trauma education. The evidence-based practice must contain a literature review and measurement pre- and post-implementation measurement must be completed prior to abstract submission.

SHARING YOUR BEST ABSTRACTS

Sharing your best abstracts may encompass anything outside the scope of research and evidence-based practice innovations and should be something with widespread applicability to other trauma centers or trauma systems. They are to reflect the vision and mission of the Society of Trauma Nurses. Some examples of what a Sharing Your Best abstract would look like are: patient and/or staff safety/satisfaction and performance improvement processes. These abstracts must contain a succinct description of your work with supporting literature if available.

CASE STUDY ABSTRACTS

Case study abstracts may encompass anything outside the scope of research and evidence-based practice innovation and should be something that is applicable to trauma care. The case study should be investigated and support research surrounding best practices or a change in practice. 

ABSTRACT FORMAT INFORMATION

Research Abstract Format:

1. Background/ Significance /Purpose: Why do we care about the problem? What is the scope and significance of the problem? Why is it important? Study aim, objectives, or goal, and baseline measurement (if appropriate to the study). Be sure to include and address the concepts and relationships outlined in your purpose or specific aims statement. – 750 characters
2. Purpose and Specific Aims: Brief statement of purpose of the research, including important concepts and relationships consistent with your background section. – 400 characters
3. Study Design: Include whether descriptive, hypothesis-generating, observational, cohort study, field study, case-control study, survey sample, randomized controlled trial, meta-analysis, etc. – 300 characters
4. Setting: Where did the research or best-practice project take place? (Elementary School? Community hospital? Academic center? Clinic? Was it a multi-center project or just at one hospital, clinic, ED, or ICU?) – 300 characters
5. Sample: Inclusion/Exclusion criteria and number of participants in the study? (E.g. this was a convenience sample of 88 older adults, age 65 and older.) – 350 characters
6. Methods: Implementation of the study: How did you design and carry it out? What were your independent and dependent variables and how did you collect, measure and analyze them? What was the plan for the evaluation of outcomes? – 1,000 characters
7. Results: What were the results or findings of your study? Include data only, interpretations and comments need to be put in discussion section. Were the findings statistically significant? For example, what were the p-values, confidence intervals, and or odds ratios? – 800 characters
8. Discussion/ Conclusions/ Implications: Synopsis of the most important things you learned from this study. How do your findings compare/contrast with similar findings in the literature? What were the limitations of your research? What are the implications of your findings for nursing science, patient outcomes, practice, education, leadership, and/ or policy? What remains to be learned? What are the next steps or recommendations? – 1500 characters

Evidence-Based Practice Abstract Format:

1. Background/Purpose: What is the problem? Why is it important? Baseline measurement associated with identification of problem. Project aim, objectives, or goal. Include evidence evaluation/synthesis of findings to support practice change. – 750 characters
2. Project Design: Include times for data collection, measurement before and after implementation of new protocol or guideline, etc. – 300 characters
3. Setting: Where did the evidence-based practice project take place? (Elementary School? Community hospital? Academic center? Clinic? Was it a multi-center project or just at one hospital, clinic, ED, or ICU?) – 300 characters
4. Sample: How many participants were in the evidence-based practice project? (E.g. this was a convenience sample of 88 older adults, age 65 and older.) – 350 characters
5. Procedures: How did you design and carry it out? What was the intervention? What information/data were collected, measured, and analyzed? What was the plan for the evaluation of outcomes? – 1,000 characters
6. Results: What were the results or findings of your project? Provide some descriptive statistics and other data as appropriate. Were the findings statistically significant? – 800 characters
7. Discussion/Conclusions/Implications: Synopsis of the outcomes and lessons learned from this project. How do your outcomes compare/contrast with similar findings in the literature? What are the implications of your findings for nursing science, patient outcomes, practice, education, leadership, and/ or policy? What remains to be learned? What are the next steps or recommendations? – 1500 characters

Sharing Your Best Abstract Format:

1. Introduction: Define the issue or problem. Establish the importance and purpose of your work and its application to other trauma centers or trauma systems. - 1500 characters
2. Objectives: What are the key points you would like the viewer to walk away with?- 800 characters
3. Case Presentation/ Project Design: If an intervention or poll was performed on a group, provide the sample, setting, and tools utilized for data collection. If the poster is bringing attention to an issue or concern use a vignette format. - 1500 characters
4. Discussion/ Future Steps/ Conclusion: Synopsis of the outcomes and lessons learned from this project. How do your outcomes compare/contrast with similar findings in the literature? What are the implications of your findings for nursing science, patient outcomes, practice, education, leadership, and/ or policy? What remains to be learned? What are the next steps or recommendations? Also would be helpful to include lessons learned, ease of implementation and if applicable cost. - 1500 characters
5. References: List of literature resources.  (no limit) 

Case Study Abstract Format:

1. Patient presentation:  The case presentation is a multiple paragraph describing demographics, mechanism of injury, symptoms, patient history and clinical findings.  – 1500 characters
2. Discussion: Discuss the strengths and limitations of the case report including relevant literature surrounding best practices or care. – 1500 characters
3. Conclusion: The synopsis should include take-away lessons with rationales that are appropriate to the case and trauma care. – 1500 characters
4. References: List of literature resources. (no limit)