General Information

Anesthesia e-Journal (AEJ) invites authors to submit original manuscripts relevant to nurse anesthesia practice. Manuscripts will be considered with the understanding that they have not been published elsewhere, had copyrights transferred, or are under consideration with another journal. 

 At the time of submission, a cover letter with complete contact information for the corresponding author(s) is required (postal address, email address, telephone, fax numbers). Manuscripts must be submitted in Microsoft Word and conform to the American Medical Association Manual of Style, 10th edition.

 Authors will be asked to review galley proofs of manuscript prior to publication, and are responsible for the accuracy of the submitted manuscript, references, and final edited copy. Failure to adhere to author guidelines will result in rejection of manuscript.

Types of Manuscripts Accepted for Peer Review in AEJ:

• Original research(eg, primary bench, clinical, epidemiological)
• Research synthesis(eg, narrative review, systematic review, evidence-based practice manuscript)
• Quality Improvement studies
• Brief Report/ Update(technological, pharmacological, theory, clinical practice)
• Case Report
• Scientific Poster
• Letters to the Editor
• Video

Any author questions regarding type of manuscript may contact the editor:  roseann.cannon@tcu.edu

 Editorial Review and Publication

 All submissions undergo a blinded, peer-review. Do not include authors’ names or institutions in the running head or anywhere in the manuscript after the title page. This includes references in the first person to the author’s own work. Manuscripts that do not meet this requirement will not be reviewed. Two or more peer reviewers will judge the validity, originality, and significance of the work presented. This process can take approximately 3 months, but delays are sometimes unavoidable. After the manuscript has been reviewed, the author will be informed via email whether the manuscript has been accepted for publication, has been rejected, or requires revision before publication.

 Submission Preparation

Manuscript content should be laid out in accordance with the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals www.icmje.org. Reporting guidelines that were utilized (eg, CONSORT, PRISMA, STROBE, STARD) should be included in the body of the manuscript along with a reference list. As appropriate, manuscripts should also include Introduction, Methods/Materials, Results, and Discussion (IMRAD) sections. (See details below for specific manuscript types). 

All submissions require a Cover Letter, Title Page, and Abstract Page.  Details related to sections in the manuscript body should be reviewed below under “Body of Manuscript”.

1. Cover Letter 

A cover letter should be submitted as a supplemental file and include:

• Corresponding author(s) name(s), home and work addresses and telephone numbers, and email addresses
• Coauthor(s) complete name(s) and email address
• Institutional affiliation(s)
• Permission to publish identifiable persons in photographs, copyrighted materials, and any other material not belonging to the author
• Disclosures and sources of financial support
• Institutional Review Board approval and patient informed consents

 Any manuscript describing investigations carried out with human or animal subjects must include a statement in the body of the manuscript indicating that the study was approved by the an institutional review board/committee and that written permission was obtained from human subjects. See ‘Releases’ section below.

1. Title Page

The title page should be double-spaced and contain the following:

• Manuscript title. Titles should be concise and contain the key information of the manuscript.
• Running title. Should emphasize the main point in 2-5 words. Do not include authors’ names or institutions in the running head or in the manuscript. 
• Full names, professional credentials, institutional or academic affiliation(s), and city and state of all authors in publication order
• E-mail address of author to whom correspondence should be addressed
• Institution(s) at which the work was performed (if appropriate)
• Grant or other financial support used for the study
• Key words for indexing: 3 to 5 search terms
• Biographical data that includes primary author information, short biographical statements about all authors, and any pertinent acknowledgments

• Abstract Page

• Original research, research syntheses, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses required structured abstracts.
• The structured abstract should provide:
• The context/background for the study
• State study’s purpose
• Review basic procedures (selection of study participants, settings, measurements, analytical methods)
• Cite main findings (giving specific effect sizes and statistical significance, if possible) and principle conclusions
• Emphasize new and important aspects of the study/observation
• Note important limitations
• All other types of manuscripts require the following abstract information:
• Background / purpose of manuscript
• Methodology (if there is one present)
• Main findings and implications for practice
• Conclusions / future research

1. Body of Manuscript (see also “Manuscript types” below)

• Times New Roman, 12 point font
• Double-spacing, body and reference list
• Paragraphs separated by double space (do not indent)
• One-inch margins
• AMA format (see Manuscript Guidelines for examples)
• Tables/figures must include title and, if appropriate, a legend 

Manuscript Types

The following types of manuscripts are considered for publication in AEJ:

Original Research(eg, primary bench, clinical, epidemiological) The manuscript should be divided into the following identifiable sections:

• Introduction—Provide context/background for the study/manuscript (nature of the problem and its significance).  State the specific purpose and/or research objective of the study/manuscript.
• Methods—Provides clarity about how and why a study was done in a particular way.  Should aim to be sufficiently detailed so that others with access to the data would be able to reproduce the results.  The methods section should include a statement indicating that the research was approved by an independent local, regional, or national review body (eg, ethics committee, IRB).  Clearly describe the selection of participants, including eligibility and exclusion criteria and a description of the source population.  Describe statistical methods with enough detail to enable a knowledgeable reader with access to the original data to judge its appropriateness for the study and to verify reported results.
• Results—Present results in a logical sequence in the text, tables, and figures, giving the main or most important findings first.  Visit icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdf for more information.
• Discussion—Begin this section by briefly summarizing the main findings, and explore possible mechanisms or explanations for these findings.  Emphasize the new and important aspects of the study.  State the limitations of the study, and explore the implications of findings for future research and clinical practice/policy. Link conclusions with the goals of the study but avoid unqualified statements and conclusions not adequately supported by the data.  Distinguish between clinical and statistical significance.
• Summary/Conclusion—Key findings, particular strengths of the project/study, limitations of project/study, usefulness of the work, implications for practice, suggested future research
• References—numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the manuscript text.
• Tables, Figures, Video—these items should capture information concisely and display it efficiently. Digital images/video should be of suitable quality for print publication.  Figures should be numbered consecutively as they appear within the manuscript text.  Legends for figures and table should be as self-explanatory as possible.

Any manuscript describing investigations carried out with human or animal subjects must include a statement in the body of the manuscript indicating that the study was approved by the an institutional review board/committee and that written permission was obtained from human subjects. See ‘Releases’ section below.

Research Synthesis--Appraisal and integration of prior research that presents evidence of current knowledge including:

• Narrative Review: Summarizes different primary research for which conclusions may be drawn into a holistic interpretation contributed by the author(s)’ own experience, existing theories and models.  Results are of a qualitative rather than a quantitative meaning.  
• Systematic Review: A appraises and synthesizes research evidence from individual studies based on a strict protocol and consequently makes a valuable conclusion regarding application to practice.
• Evidence-based Practice Manuscript: Ask a clinical question using PICOT format to describe evidence from the literature that answers a clinical question. 

The manuscript should be divided into the following identifiable sections:

• Introduction—Provide context/background for the study/manuscript (nature of the problem and its significance).  State the specific purpose and/or research objective of the study/manuscript.
• Methods—Provides clarity about how and why a study was done in a particular way.  Should aim to be sufficiently detailed so that others with access to the data would be able to reproduce the results.  The methods section should include a statement indicating that the research was approved by an independent local, regional, or national review body (eg, ethics committee, IRB).  Clearly describe the selection of participants, including eligibility and exclusion criteria and a description of the source population.  Describe statistical methods with enough detail to enable a knowledgeable reader with access to the original data to judge its appropriateness for the study and to verify reported results.
• Results—Present results in a logical sequence in the text, tables, and figures, giving the main or most important findings first.  Visit icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdf for more information.
• Discussion—Begin this section by briefly summarizing the main findings, and explore possible mechanisms or explanations for these findings.  Emphasize the new and important aspects of the study.  State the limitations of the study, and explore the implications of findings for future research and clinical practice/policy. Link conclusions with the goals of the study but avoid unqualified statements and conclusions not adequately supported by the data.  Distinguish between clinical and statistical significance.
• Summary/Conclusion—Key findings, particular strengths of the project/study, limitations of project/study, usefulness of the work, implications for practice, suggested future research
• References—numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the manuscript text.
• Tables, Figures, Video—these items should capture information concisely and display it efficiently. Digital images/video should be of suitable quality for print publication.  Figures should be numbered consecutively as they appear within the manuscript text.  Legends for figures and table should be as self-explanatory as possible.

 

 Quality Improvement Studies

Studies that help optimize the integrity and safety of nurse anesthesia practice. Submitted quality improvement studies should adhere to the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQUIRE) Guidelines. For more information about SQUIRE, please see http://www.equator-network.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/SQUIRE-2.0-checklist.pdf 

The manuscript should be divided into the following identifiable sections:

• Introduction/Problem Description—Provide context/background for the study/manuscript (nature of the problem and its significance).  State the specific purpose and/or research objective of the study/manuscript. Why did you start this project? Nature and significance of the local problem.  What is currently known about the problem, including relevant previous studies.

 

• Methods—Provides clarity about how and why the project/study was done in a particular way.  Should aim to be sufficiently detailed so that others with access to the data would be able to reproduce the results. The methods section should include a statement indicating that the research was approved by an independent local, regional, or national review body (eg, ethics committee, IRB).  Clearly describe the selection of participants, including eligibility and exclusion criteria and a description of the source population.  Describe statistical methods with enough detail to enable a knowledgeable reader with access to the original data to judge its appropriateness for the study and to verify reported results.

 

• Results—Present results in a logical sequence in the text, tables, and figures, giving the main or most important findings first.  Visit icmje.org/icmje-recommendations.pdffor more information.

 

 

• Discussion—Begin this section by briefly summarizing the main findings, and explore possible mechanisms or explanations for these findings.  Emphasize the new and important aspects of the study.  State the limitations of the study, and explore the implications of findings for future research and clinical practice/policy. Link conclusions with the goals of the study but avoid unqualified statements and conclusions not adequately supported by the data.  Distinguish between clinical and statistical significance.
• Summary/Conclusion—Key findings, particular strengths of the project/study, limitations of project/study, usefulness of the work, implications for practice, suggested future research.

 

• References—numbered consecutively in the order in which they are first mentioned in the manuscript text.

 

 

• Tables, Figures, Video—these items should capture information concisely and display it efficiently. Digital images/video should be of suitable quality for print publication.  Figures should be numbered consecutively as they appear within the manuscript text.  Legends for figures and table should be as self-explanatory as possible.

 

 

 Brief Report or Update--Short reports of original studies, evaluations, pilot data, and reports of clinical case series may be submitted as brief reports of approximately 1000 words including (eg, technological, pharmacological, theory, clinical practice).

The manuscript should be divided into the following identifiable sections:

• Introduction—Provide context/background for the report/manuscript (nature of the problem and its significance).  State the specific purpose and/or research objective of the report/manuscript.

 

• Methods—Provides clarity about how the background research/search for information was done in a particular way.

 

 

• Results—Present results in a logical sequence in the text, tables, and figures, giving the main or most important findings first. How does this impact practice?

 

• Discussion—Begin this section by briefly summarizing, and explore possible mechanisms or explanations for these findings.  Emphasize the new and important aspects of this information.

 

• Summary/Conclusion—Key findings, particular strengths of the project/study, limitations of project/study, usefulness of the work, implications for practice, suggested future research.

 

 

 Case Report--A detailed report of a unique or unusual clinical case that is of educational value with which the author(s) must have been personally associated. The report should include a specific, detailed clinical scenario, clinical events surrounding the case, diagnosis, treatment/interventions, and follow up using an evidence-based approach

The manuscript should be divided into the following identifiable sections:

• Introduction—Provide context/background for the study/manuscript (nature of the problem and its significance).  State the specific purpose and/or research objective of the study/manuscript.

 

• Case Description/patient care—Appropriate and pertinent case details, preoperative, intraoperative, postoperative management. Clear, accurate description of perioperative care.

 

• Discussion—Compare what was found in the literature search to actual care administered during the case.  Emphasize the new and important aspects of literature search.  State the limitations of care, if any, key points of the case, clinical/evidence-based rationale, case critique, alternatives stated.

 

• Summary/Conclusion—Key findings, particular strengths of the project/study, limitations of project/study, usefulness of the work, implications for practice, suggested future research.

 

 

Scientific Posters

A scientific poster can represent any manuscript type listed above. All posters must be submitted using “pptx” format. All information should be on one slide. All poster submissions should include the AEJ title page and abstract using the author guidelines for submission.

 

Letters to the Editor

Brief, focused, comments regarding previously published articles (within 6 months) that letter author wishes to share with AEJ readers. These may include, but are not limited to, discussion of alternative/additional evidence, corrections, or new insights related to article in question.

 

Releases

If any material in the manuscript is from a prior copyrighted publication, a letter of permission from the copyright holder must accompany the manuscript. If applicable, permission to use unpublished data and personal communications must be included.

 Ethics

When human experimentation is being reported, a statement must be included confirming that the work was done in accordance with the appropriate institutional review body and carried out with the ethical standards set forth in the Declaration of Helsinki. When laboratory animals are used, provide a statement that the work was carried out according to the National Research Council’s protocol for, or any national law on, the care and use of laboratory animals.

Patient Descriptions, Photographs, Videos, and Pedigrees

Include a signed statement of informed consent to publish (in print and online) patient descriptions, photographs, and pedigrees from all persons (parents or legal guardians for minors) who can be identified in such written descriptions, photographs, or pedigrees. Such persons should be shown the manuscript before its submission. Signed release must be submitted as a supplemental file.