Postoperative admission to a dedicated geriatric unit decreases mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture

Surgical and medical co-management optimizes surgical outcomes in older patients with chronic diseases undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy

INTRODUCTION

While robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RRP) is a standard mode for localized prostate cancer (PC), the risk of complications in older patients with chronic diseases and complex medical conditions can be a deterrent to surgery. Surgical and medical co-management (SMC) is a new strategy to improve patients' healthcare outcomes in surgical settings.

METHODS

We reviewed the clinical data of older patients with chronic diseases who were cared for with SMC undergoing RRP in our hospital in the past 3 years and compared them with the clinical data from the general urology ward. Preoperative conditions and related indicators of recovery, and incidence of postoperative complications with the Clavien Grade System were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

The indicators of recovery were significantly better, and the incidence rates of complications were significantly reduced in the SMC group at grades I-IV (p < 0.05), as compared to the general urology ward group.

CONCLUSIONS

The provision of care by SMC for older patients focused on early identification, comorbidity management, preoperative optimization, and collaborative management would significantly improve surgical outcomes. The SMC strategy is worthy of further clinical promotion in RRP treatment in older men with chronic diseases and complex medical conditions.

Perioperative mortality among geriatric patients in Ethiopia: a prospective cohort study

Background

With the dramatic growth in the aged population observed in developed and developing nations, the older population burdened by unmet demand for surgical treatment has become a significant yet unnoticed public health concern in resource-limited countries. Studies are limited regarding surgical mortality of geriatric patients in Africa. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the incidence and identify predictors of postoperative mortality using prospective data in a low-income country, Ethiopia.

Methods and materials

A prospective cohort study was conducted from June 01, 2019, to June 30, 2021, at a tertiary-level hospital in Ethiopia. Perioperative data were collected using an electronic data collection tool. Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictor variables. The association between predictors and postoperative mortality among geriatrics was computed using a hazard ratio (HR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI); p-value <0.05 was a cutoff value to declare statistical significance.

Results

Of eligible 618 patients, 601 were included in the final analysis. The overall incidence of postoperative mortality among geriatrics was 5.16%, with a rate of 1.91 (95% CI: 1.34, 2.72) deaths per 1,000 person-day observation. Age ≥ 80 years (Adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.05, 6.36), ASA physical status III/IV (AHR = 2.40, 95%CI 1.06, 5.43), comorbidity (AHR = 2.53, 95% CI: 1.19, 7.01), and emergency surgery (AHR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.17, 7.27) were the significant predictors of postoperative mortality among older patients.

Conclusion

Postoperative mortality among geriatrics was high. Identified predictors were age ≥ 80 years, ASA status III/IV, comorbidity, and emergency surgery. Target-specific interventions should be addressed to improve high surgical mortality in these patients.

The Impact of Screening for Perioperative ICU Admission in Geriatric Hip Fracture Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

BACKGROUND

Hip fracture patients are a subset of trauma patients with high peri-operative mortality. To mitigate the mortality risk, the use of predictive scoring systems (e.g., RSI or Nomograms) for risk stratification and monitoring of high-risk patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) has been proposed. Screening patients for ICU admission with relatively low-cost tools may achieve high-quality, low-cost care. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness and feasibility of screening postoperative hip fracture patients for ICU admission.

METHODS

This is a retrospective single-site study comparing two groups of patients, before and after implementation of a hip fracture postoperative screening intervention in a level 1 trauma center in the United States. All hip fracture patients > 55 years of age admitted to the hospital between January 2021 and May 2023 were included. Trauma team members assessed and screened patients postoperatively in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), ordering standardized tests, including laboratory tests, a chest x-ray, and electrocardiogram (EKG). Assessment of the effect of the intervention included a comparison of a number of major adverse events (MAEs), mortality, planned and unplanned ICU admissions, ICU length of stay (LOS), and hospital LOS between pre- and post-intervention groups. Propensity score (PS) estimates were used to compare outcomes between the matched participants in the sample. A predictive model for ICU admission for the overall sample was estimated, and discriminative ability was assessed with an area under the curve (AUC) receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis. Lastly, feasibility was assessed by compliance with screening intervention and charges per patient related to the intervention.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 290 patients in the pre-intervention and 180 patients in the post-intervention groups, respectively, with a mean age of 81.4 ± (9.9) years. There was a significant increase (p<0.01) in planned ICU admissions (OR=2.387, 95% CI (1.430, 3.983)) after screening protocol implementation. There was no significant difference between the pre-intervention group and post-intervention group in the number of MAEs (p=0.392), mortality (p=0.591), ICU LOS (p=0.617), and hospital LOS (p=0.151). When the PS-matched sample (n=424) was analyzed, there was a significant decrease (p=0.45) in unplanned ICU admissions (OR=6.40, 95% CI (0.81, 50.95)) after protocol implementation. Anticoagulants, emergency department (ED) respiratory rate (RR), injury severity score (ISS), number of comorbidities, substance use disorder (SAD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were significant predictors of ICU admission (p=0.002, 0.022, 0.030, 0.034, 0.039, 0.039, and 0.042), respectively, and, demonstrated the discriminative ability between high and low risk for ICU admission (AUC=0.597, 0.587, 0.581, 0.578, 0.513, and 0.587, respectively). The screening intervention was achievable with 99% compliance (Kappa estimate 0.94) among trauma team members with an average charge of $282 per patient.

CONCLUSION

The addition of a postoperative screening intervention for hip fracture patients > 55 years of age is achievable and decreases unplanned ICU admissions in matched samples. Presenting clinical indicators and comorbidities are associated with ICU admission and provide sufficient discriminatory ability as criteria for ICU admission.

Preoperative evaluation of the elderly patient

Nowadays, the pre-operative evaluation of older patients is a critical step in the decision-making process. Clinical assessment and care planning should be considered a whole process rather than separate issues. Clinicians should use validated tools for pre-operative risk assessment of older patients to minimize surgery-related morbidity and mortality and enhance care quality. Traditional pre-operative consultation often fails to capture the pathophysiological and functional profiles of older patients. The elderly's pre-operative evaluation should be focused on determining the patient's functional reserve and reducing any possible peri-operative risk. Therefore, older adults may benefit from the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) that allows clinicians to evaluate several aspects of elderly life, such as depression and cognitive disorders, social status, multi-morbidity, frailty, geriatric syndromes, nutritional status, and polypharmacy. Despite the recognized challenges in applying the CGA, it may provide a realistic risk assessment for post-operative complications and suggest a tailored peri-operative treatment plan for older adults, including pre-operative optimization strategies. The older adults' pre-operative examination should not be considered a mere stand-alone, that is, an independent stage of the surgical pathway, but rather a vital step toward a personalized therapeutic approach that may involve professionals from different clinical fields. The aim of this review is to revise the evidence from the literature and highlight the most important items to be implemented in the pre-operative evaluation process in order to identify better all elderly patients' needs.

Effect of Active Surgical Co-Management by Medical Hospitalists in Urology Inpatient Care: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PURPOSE

This study aimed to evaluate the use of active surgical co-management (SCM) by medical hospitalists for urology inpatient care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Since March 2019, a hospitalist-SCM program was implemented at a tertiary-care medical center, and a retrospective cohort study was conducted among co-managed urology inpatients. We assessed the clinical outcomes of urology inpatients who received SCM and compared passive SCM (co-management of patients by hospitalists only on request; March 2019 to June 2020) with active SCM (co-management of patients based on active screening by hospitalists; July 2020 to October 2021). We also evaluated the perceptions of patients who received SCM toward inpatient care quality, safety, and subjective satisfaction with inpatient care at discharge or when transferred to other wards.

RESULTS

We assessed 525 patients. Compared with the passive SCM group (n=205), patients in the active SCM group (n=320) required co-management for a significantly shorter duration (p=0.012) and tended to have a shorter length of stay at the urology ward (p=0.062) and less frequent unplanned readmissions within 30 days of discharge (p=0.095) while triggering significantly fewer events of rapid response team activation (p=0.002). No differences were found in the proportion of patients transferred to the intensive care unit, in-hospital mortality rates, or inpatient care questionnaire scores.

CONCLUSION

Active surveillance and co-management of urology inpatients by medical hospitalists can improve the quality and efficacy of inpatient care without compromising subjective inpatient satisfaction.

Postoperative delirium is a risk factor of institutionalization after hip fracture: an observational cohort study

Introduction

Hip fracture is a common clinical problem in geriatric patients often associated with poor postoperative outcomes. Postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative neurocognitive disorders (NCDs) are particularly frequent. The consequences of these disorders on postoperative recovery and autonomy are not fully described. The aim of this study was to determine the role of POD and NCDs on the need for institutionalization at 3 months after hip fracture surgery.

Method

A population-based prospective cohort study was conducted on hip fracture patients between March 2016 and March 2018. The baseline interview, which included a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), was conducted in the hospital after admission for hip fracture. NCDs were appreciated by MMSE scoring evolution (difference between preoperative MMSE and MMSE at day 5 >2 points). POD was evaluated using the Confusion Assessment Method. The primary endpoint was the rate of new institutionalization at 3 months. We used a multivariate analysis to assess the risk of new institutionalization.

Results

A total of 63 patients were included. Thirteen patients (20.6%) were newly institutionalized at 3 months. Two factors were significantly associated with the risk of postoperative institutionalization at 3 months: POD (OR = 5.23; 95% CI 1.1-27.04; p = 0.04) and IADL evolution (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.23-2.74; p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Only POD but not NCDs was associated with the risk of dependency and institutionalization after hip fracture surgery. The prevention of POD appears to be essential for improving patient outcomes and optimizing the potential for returning home.

An analysis of cost and complications for patients sustaining a second, contralateral hip fracture within 1 year

INTRODUCTION

Hip fractures are an increasingly common occurrence among the aging population. With increased life expectancy and advancements in medicine, patients sustaining a hip fracture are at an increasing risk of sustaining a contralateral hip fracture. Efforts are being made to better understand the environment of these hip fractures so that secondary prevention clinics and guidelines can be made to help prevent recurrent osteoporotic hip fractures. The estimated incidence of a contralateral hip fracture varies from 2 to 10% and is reportedly associated with a higher incidence of complications. Previous studies evaluating contralateral hip fractures compared a single cohort of patients sustaining a second hip fracture with patients who sustained only one hip fracture. We aimed to investigate the overall complications and associated costs as it relates to a patients first hip fracture and contrast this to the same patient's contralateral, second hip fractures.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of all patients in our health systems electronic database who were found to have surgically treated hip fractures between January 2004 and July 2019. Patients with surgically treated hip fractures (CPT Codes: 27235, 27236, 27245, 27244), who sustained a second contralateral hip fracture were included. Medical complications within 30 days of either procedure (such as pneumonia, UTI, altered mental status and others), length of stay, orthopedic complications (such as wound complications, infection, hardware failure, nonunion), type of implants, costs, comorbidities, and ASA Class as well as Mortality were reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 4,870 hip fractures were identified during the study period where 137 (2.8%) patients sustained a second hip fracture, and 47 (0.9%) of which were sustained within the first year after their index hip fracture. There was no statistical difference in length of stay (p = 0.68), medical (p>0.99) or orthopedic complications (p>0.99) between patients first and second hip fractures. There was an increased incidence of cognitive impairment with the second hip fracture (P = 0.0002). For patients that underwent operative treatment of a second hip fracture, the total cost of care was higher for the second surgery (mean difference 757. 38 USD) however the difference wasn't statistically significant (p = 0.31). The overall 1-year mortality rate was 14.9 percent.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates there is no statistical difference between the first and second surgery regarding length of stay, medical or orthopedic complications and cost.

Free flaps for lower limb soft tissue reconstruction - A systematic review of complications in 'Silver Trauma' patients

BACKGROUND

There are 12.5 million people aged 65 years and older living in the UK. The annual incidence of open fracture is 30.7 per 10,000 person-years. In females, 42.9% of all open fractures occur in patients ≥ 65 years.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Preferred Reporting for Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and the study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020209149). The aim was to compare the complication profiles of free fasciocutaneous flaps and free muscular flaps in patients aged over 60 years undergoing lower limb soft tissue reconstruction following an open lower limb fracture. The search strategy based on strict inclusion criteria included PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

15 papers were identified, including 46 patients with 10 free fasciocutaneous flaps and 41 free muscle flaps. There were 3 complications in the fasciocutaneous group (30%) and 9 complications in the muscle group (22%). There was a total of 1 secondary procedure in the fasciocutaneous group and 4 in the muscle group.

DISCUSSION

There is insufficient data to provide statistical comparison between free fasciocutaneous versus free muscle flaps for lower limb reconstruction performed in those aged over 60 years. This systematic review highlights evidence for the successful use of free tissue transfer in the older population following an open fracture injury and requiring lower limb reconstruction. There is no evidence to suggest the superiority of one tissue type over the other, with the inference that well vascularised tissue is the most significant factor impacting outcome.

Proximal femoral fracture and female gender are risk factors for recurrent fracture: Cohort study of 292 patients over 75 years-old with iterative osteoporotic fractures

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to: 1/ describe the characteristics of a cohort of patients over 75 years of age hospitalized in perioperative geriatric units (UPOG) for iterative fractures; 2/ investigate the risks of institutionalization related to the first fracture; and 3/ search for potential risk factors for iterative fracture.

METHODS

This is a retrospective single-center study analyzing patients over 75 years old, hospitalized in UPOG.

RESULTS

Of the 3207 patients hospitalized, 292 patients had a refracture (9.1%), with a mean age of 85.4+/-5.8 years. Initial fractures were mainly intertrochanteric (43.2%) and the femoral neck (32.9%). Refractures occurred mainly in the first year (55.5%), with a median delay of 9.6 months. Refractures were mainly intertrochanteric (29.5%), peri‑implant (prosthesis, osteosynthesis) (28.8%), and femoral neck (26.7%). Dementia was the only factor for institutionalization after the first fracture episode (p = 0.0002). Proximal femoral fracture (PFF) and female gender were risk factors for iterative fracture (10.2% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.003; 10.7% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.005 respectively), but not age (85.4 vs. 85.8 years, p = 0.24). PFF were more likely to result in the same fracture type in the second episode (58.1% vs 7.1%, p<0.0001). The time to refracture was shorter in case of peri‑implant fracture (p = 0.0002), or discharge directly to home (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

PFF and female gender are risk factors for recurrent fracture, which is even more likely to occur early in case of home discharge or peri‑implant fracture.

Hypobaric Unilateral Spinal Anesthesia Versus General Anesthesia for Hip Fracture Surgery in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Hypotension during surgery is frequent in the elderly population and is associated with acute kidney and myocardial injury, which are, themselves, associated with increased 30-day mortality. The present study compared the hemodynamic effects of hypobaric unilateral spinal anesthesia (HUSA) to general anesthesia (GA) in patients ≥70 years of age undergoing hip fracture surgery.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center, prospective, randomized study. In the HUSA group, patients were positioned with the operated hip above, and the hypobaric anesthetic solution was composed of 9 mg ropivacaine, 5 µg sufentanil, and 1 mL of sterile water. Anesthesia was adjusted for the GA group. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured with a noninvasive blood pressure upper arm cuff every 3 minutes. Hypotension was treated with a bolus of ephedrine and then a continuous intravenous of norepinephrine to obtain a MAP ≥65 mm Hg. Primary outcome was the occurrence of severe hypotension, defined as a MAP <65 mm Hg for >12 consecutive minutes.

RESULTS

A total of 154 patients were included. Severe hypotension was more frequent in the GA group compared to the HUSA group (odds ratio, 5.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.7-11.7; P < .001). There was no significant difference regarding the short-term outcomes between the HUSA and GA groups: acute kidney injury (respectively, 5.1% vs 11.3%; P = .22), myocardial injury (18.0% vs 14.0%; P = .63), and 30-day mortality (2.4% vs 4.7%; P = .65).

CONCLUSIONS

HUSA leads to fewer episodes of severe intraoperative hypotension compared to GA in an elderly population undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Modifiable factors associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation in older patients with hip fracture in an orthogeriatric care pathway: a nested case–control study

Background

Few data are available regarding post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in non-cardiothoracic surgery, particularly orthopedic surgery. Hence, given the frequent incidence of POAF after surgery and its marked impact, we need to identify modifiable factors associated with POAF after hip fracture surgery in older patients.

Methods

We conducted a nested case–control study in the unit for perioperative geriatric care of an academic hospital in Paris from July 1, 2009 to December 31, 2019, enrolling all consecutive patients aged ≥ 70 years with hip fracture surgery and no history of permanent AF before admission (retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data). Patients with and without POAF were matched 1:5 on 5 baseline characteristics (age, hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disease, cardiac failure).

Results

Of the 757 patients included, 384 were matched, and 64 had POAF. The incidence of POAF was 8.5%. The mean age was 86 ± 6 years, 298 (78%) patients were female, and the median Charlson Comorbidity Index was 6 (interquartile range 4–8). The median time from surgery to the occurrence of POAF was 2 days (1–4). On multivariable conditional logistic regression analysis (matched cohort), the modifiable factors present at admission associated with POAF were time to surgery > 48 h (odds ratio [OR] = 1.66, 95% confidence interval [1.01–2.81]) and > 2 units of packed red blood cells (OR = 3.94, [1.50–10.03]).

Conclusions

This study provides new information about POAF in older patients with hip fracture surgery, a surgical emergency whose complexity requires multidisciplinary care.

The Impact of Frailty on Traumatic Brain Injury Outcomes: An Analysis of 691 821 Nationwide Cases

BACKGROUND

Frailty, a decline in physiological reserve, prognosticates poorer outcomes for several neurosurgical conditions. However, the impact of frailty on traumatic brain injury outcomes is not well characterized.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the association between frailty and traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) outcomes in a nationwide cohort.

METHODS

We identified all adult admissions for tICH in the National Trauma Data Bank from 2007 to 2017. Frailty was quantified using the validated modified 5-item Frailty Index (mFI-5) metric (range = 0-5), with mFI-5 ≥2 denoting frailty. Analyzed outcomes included in-hospital mortality, favorable discharge disposition, complications, ventilator days, and intensive care unit (ICU) and total length of stay (LOS). Multivariable regression assessed the association between mFI-5 and outcomes, adjusting for patient demographics, hospital characteristics, injury severity, and neurosurgical intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 691 821 tICH admissions were analyzed. The average age was 57.6 years. 18.0% of patients were frail (mFI-5 ≥ 2). Between 2007 and 2017, the prevalence of frailty grew from 7.9% to 21.7%. Frailty was associated with increased odds of mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.36, P < .001) and decreased odds of favorable discharge disposition (OR = 0.72, P < .001). Frail patients exhibited an elevated rate of complications (OR = 1.06, P < .001), including unplanned return to the ICU (OR = 1.55, P < .001) and operating room (OR = 1.17, P = .003). Finally, frail patients experienced increased ventilator days (+12%, P < .001), ICU LOS (+11%, P < .001), and total LOS (+13%, P < .001). All associations with death and disposition remained significant after stratification for age, trauma severity, and neurosurgical intervention.

CONCLUSION

For patients with tICH, frailty predicted higher mortality and morbidity, independent of age or injury severity.

Frailty independently predicts unfavorable discharge in non-operative traumatic brain injury: A retrospective single-institution cohort study

BACKGROUND

Frailty is associated with adverse outcomes in traumatically injured geriatric patients but has not been well-studied in geriatric Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

OBJECTIVE

To assess relationships between frailty and outcomes after TBI.

METHODS

The records of all patients aged 70 or older admitted from home to the neurosurgical service of a single institution for non-operative TBI between January 2020 and July 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was adverse discharge disposition (either in-hospital expiration or discharge to skilled nursing facility (SNF), hospice, or home with hospice). Secondary outcomes included major inpatient complication, 30-day readmission, and length of stay.

RESULTS

100 patients were included, 90% of whom presented with Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) 14-15. The mean length of stay was 3.78 days. 7% had an in-hospital complication, and 44% had an unfavorable discharge destination. 49% of patients attended follow-up within 3 months. The rate of readmission within 30 days was 13%. Patients were characterized as low frailty (FRAIL score 0-1, n = 35, 35%) or high frailty (FRAIL score 2-5, n = 65, 65%). In multivariate analysis controlling for age and other factors, frailty category (aOR 2.63, 95CI [1.02, 7.14], p = 0.005) was significantly associated with unfavorable discharge. Frailty was not associated with increased readmission rate, LOS, or rate of complications on uncontrolled univariate analyses.

CONCLUSION

Frailty is associated with increased odds of unfavorable discharge disposition for geriatric patients admitted with TBI.

Thirty-day morbidity and mortality following primary total elbow arthroplasty in octogenarians

Background

Octogenarians are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality following various orthopaedic procedures, but this has not been explored among total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) patients. Thus, this study analyzed whether octogenarians undergoing TEA are at an increased risk of postoperative complications relative to the younger geriatric population.

Methods

A national database was queried to identify TEA patients. Patients were stratified into an aged 65 to 79 cohort and an aged 80 to 89 cohort. Demographics, comorbidities, and complications were assessed, with the use of bivariate and multivariate analyzes.

Results

In total, 390 patients underwent TEA, with 289 (74.1%) between the ages of 65 to 79 and 101 (25.9%) between the ages of 80 to 89. On bivariate analyzes, patients aged 80 to 89 were more likely to undergo postoperative transfusion (p = 0.001) compared to those aged 65 to 79. Following adjustment on multivariate analyzes, the aged 80 to 89 cohort no longer had an increased risk of postoperative transfusion. There were no differences in mortality, readmission, and reoperation between the two groups.

Discussion

Age greater than 80 should not be used as an independent factor when evaluating whether a geriatric patient is an appropriate candidate for TEA.

Impact on 6-month outcomes of hospital trajectory in critically ill older patients: analysis of the ICE-CUB2 clinical trial

Background

Little is known about the impact of hospital trajectory on survival and functional decline of older critically ill patients. We evaluate 6-month outcomes after admission to: intensive care units (ICU), intermediate care units (IMCU) or acute medical wards (AMW).

Methods

Data from the randomised prospective multicentre clinical trial ICE-CUB2 was secondarily analysed. Inclusion criteria were: presenting at emergency departments in critical condition; age ≥ 75 years; activity of daily living (ADL) ≥ 4; preserved nutritional status; and no active cancer. A Cox model was fitted to compare survival according to admission destination adjusting for patient characteristics. Sensitivity analysis using multiple imputation for missing data and propensity score matching were performed.

Results

Among 3036 patients, 1675 (55%) were women; median age was 85 [81–99] years; simplified acute physiology score (SAPS-3) 62 [55–69]; 1448 (47%) were hospitalised in an ICU, 504 in IMCU (17%), and 1084 (36%) in AMW. Six-month mortality was 629 (44%), 155 (31%) and 489 (45%) after admission in an ICU, IMCU and AMW (p < 0.001), respectively. In multivariate analysis, AMW admission was associated with worse 6-month survival (HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.04–1.63) in comparison with IMCU admission, after adjusting for age, gender, comorbidities, ADL, SAPS-3 and diagnosis. Survival was not significantly different between patients admitted in an ICU and an IMCU (HR 1.17, 95% CI 0.95–1.46). Sensitivity analysis using multiple imputation for missing data and propensity score matching found similar results. Hospital destination was not significantly associated with the composite criterion loss of 1-point ADL or mortality. Physical and mental components of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey were significantly lower in the acute medical ward group (34.3 [27.5–41.7], p = 0.037 and 44.3 [38.6–48.6], p = 0.028, respectively) than in the ICU group (34.7 [28.4–45.3] and 45.5 [40.0–50.0], respectively) and IMCU group (35.7 [29.7–43.8] and 44.5 [39.7–48.4], respectively).

Conclusions

Admission in an AMW was associated with worse 6-month survival in older critically ill patients in comparison with IMCU admission, with no difference of survival between ICU and IMCU admission. There were no clinically relevant differences in quality of life in each group. These results should be confirmed in specific studies and raise the question of dedicated geriatric IMCUs.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13613-022-01042-4.

60% Reduction of reoperations and complications for elderly patients with hip fracture through the implementation of a six-item improvement programme

Introduction

Hip fractures are common, serious and costly fractures in the elderly population. Several guidelines seeking to ensure best practice have been introduced. Although our institution complied with national guidelines for early surgery of hip fractures, no assessment of other evidence-based measures existed. We wanted to assess, test, implement and measure the impact of a quality improvement (QI) programme consisting of key elements proven to be important in the treatment of hip fractures.

Methods

We formed a multidisciplinary QI team, consisting of several specialists in different fields. The QI team assessed multiple possible process measures for inclusion in the programme and selected six measurable interventions for implementation: early surgery, correct administration of prophylactic antibiotics, surgery using proven methods and expertise, a multidisciplinary patient pathway and secondary fracture prevention. The improvement process was monitored by a statistical process control chart (SPC). Complications, reoperations and mortality were compared before (n=293) and after (n=182) the intervention.

Results

The SPC analyses indicated increasing adherence with all interventions throughout the improvement programme, and sustainability 7 years later. The last four periods showed a stable adherence above 90%. We found 60% reduction in major complications after the implementation of the improvement programme, from 19.1% to 7.7% (HR: 0.38 (95% CI: 0.23 to 0.61, p=0.0007). The need for reoperations due to complications fell from 12.6% to 4.9% (HR: 0.37 (95% CI: 0.21 to 0.67, p=0.0054). We did not find a difference in post-operative mortality after the implementation of the QI programme (HR: 0.95 (95% CI: 0.74 to 1.2, p=0.645).

Conclusion

Our multiprofessional improvement programme achieved almost full adherence within 2 years and was sustainable 7 years later. The quality and safety of the care process were improved and led to a substantial and sustainable decrease in complications and reoperations.

Models of Care in Geriatric Intensive Care—A Scoping Review on the Optimal Structure of Care for Critically Ill Older Adults Admitted in an ICU

A growing proportion of critically ill patients admitted in ICUs are older adults. The need for improving care provided to older adults in critical care settings to optimize functional status and quality of life for survivors is acknowledged, but the optimal model of care remains unknown. We aimed to identify and describe reported models of care.

Effects of Orthogeriatric Care Models on Outcomes of Hip Fracture Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Orthogeriatrics is increasingly recommended in the care of hip fracture patients, although evidence for this model is conflicting or at least limited. Furthermore, there is no conclusive evidence on which model [geriatric medicine consultant service (GCS), geriatric medical ward with orthopedic surgeon consultant service (GW), integrated care model (ICM)] is superior. The review summarizes the effect of orthogeriatric care for hip fracture patients on length of stay (LOS), time to surgery (TTS), in-hospital mortality, 1-year mortality, 30-day readmission rate, functional outcome, complication rate, and cost. Two independent reviewers retrieved randomized controlled trials, controlled observational studies, and pre/post analyses. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed. Thirty-seven studies were included, totaling 37.294 patients. Orthogeriatric care significantly reduced LOS [mean difference (MD) - 1.55 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) (- 2.53; - 0.57)], but heterogeneity warrants caution in interpreting this finding. Orthogeriatrics also resulted in a 28% lower risk of in-hospital mortality [95%CI (0.56; 0.92)], a 14% lower risk of 1-year mortality [95%CI (0.76; 0.97)], and a 19% lower risk of delirium [95%CI (0.71; 0.92)]. No significant effect was observed on TTS and 30-day readmission rate. No consistent effect was found on functional outcome. Numerically lower numbers of complications were observed in orthogeriatric care, yet some complications occurred more frequently in GW and ICM. Limited data suggest orthogeriatrics is cost-effective. There is moderate quality evidence that orthogeriatrics reduces LOS, in-hospital mortality, 1-year mortality, and delirium of hip fracture patients and may reduce complications and cost, while the effect on functional outcome is inconsistent. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend one or the other type of orthogeriatric care model.

Association of Acute Perioperative Myocardial Injury With All-Cause Mortality Within 90 Days After Hip Fracture Repair in the Elderly: A Prospective Study

Introduction

It remains unclear whether acute perioperative myocardial injury (APMI) increases mortality in the elderly. This study aimed to investigate APMI’s association with mortality within 90 days after hip fracture repair in elderly patients.

Materials and Methods

This prospective study enrolled elderly patients admitted to the department of Traumatology and Orthopaedics in XXX Hospital, who underwent surgery in 2018–2019 with a 90-day follow-up. According to survival status within 90 days, survival and death groups were constituted. Clinical, demographic, and laboratory indicators and 90-day mortality post-surgery were recorded. APMI’s association with 90-day mortality post-surgery was analyzed by logistic regression.

Results

Totally 248 participants were enrolled, including 224 and 24 in the survival and death groups, respectively, for a mortality rate of 9.7%. Compared with surviving individuals, the death group was older [81 (75–86) vs 87 (82–89) years], and had higher incidence rates of APMI (24.6% vs 58.3%), intertrochanteric fractures (41.1% vs 62.5%), preoperative atrial fibrillation (8.9% vs 29.2%), and dementia (73.7% vs 95.8%) (all P<.05). They also showed higher pre-injury frail scale scores [1 (0–2) vs 3 (1–4)] and Nottingham hip fracture scores (NHFSs) [4 (4–5) vs 6.5 (5–7)], lower Glomerular filtration [62 (46.1–78.6) vs 44.37 (35–61.92) ml/min], and reduced odds of glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min (75.0% vs 46.9%) (all P < .05). APMI (OR = 3.294, 95% CI: 1.217–8.913) and NHFS (OR = 2.089, 95% CI: 1.353–3.225) independently predicted 90-day mortality post-surgery (all P<.05).

Conclusions

APMI is associated with increased mortality risk within 90 days after hip fracture repair in elderly patients.

Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Prognosis after Hip Fracture Surgery in Older Patients in a Dedicated Orthogeriatric Care Pathway

OBJECTIVES

Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery (HFS) and has been found to be associated with poor post-operative outcome in other settings. This study aimed to analyze the association between vitamin D status and prognosis after HFS.

DESIGN

Observational, prospective, single-center study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

All patients admitted in a peri-operative geriatric unit between 2009 and 2020 for HFS were included.

MEASUREMENTS

A moderate vitamin D deficiency was defined by a vitamin D level between 25 and 75 nmol/l and a severe deficiency by a vitamin D level <25 nmol/l. Primary endpoint was mortality 6 months after surgery. Secondary endpoints were bacterial infections and delirium during hospitalization. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were computed using logistic regression models with adjustment for confounders.

RESULTS

1197 patients were included (median age 87 years, IQR [82-91]). Median vitamin D level was 55 nmol/l (IQR [30-75 nmol/l]). Moderate and severe vitamin D deficiencies were reported in 53% and 21% of patients, respectively. There was no significant association between moderate or severe vitamin D deficiencies and 6-month mortality (OR 0.91, 95%CI [0.59-1.39], and OR 1.31, 95%CI [0.77-2.22], respectively), bacterial infection (OR 0.89, 95%CI [0.60-1.31] and OR 1.55, 95%CI [0.99-2.41], respectively), nor delirium (OR 1.03, 95%CI [0.75-1.40], and OR 1.05, 95%CI [0.70-1.57], respectively).

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D deficiency was not associated with mortality, bacterial infection or delirium after HFS. Our results suggest that comorbidities, functional status and post-operative complications are the main determinants of post-operative outcome after HFS.

Effects of a perioperative geriatric intervention for older adults with Cancer: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Older adults with gastrointestinal cancers undergoing surgery often experience poor outcomes, such as prolonged postoperative hospital length of stay (LOS), intensive care unit (ICU) use, hospital readmissions, and complications. Involvement of geriatricians in the care of older adults with cancer can improve outcomes. We conducted a randomized trial of a perioperative geriatric intervention (PERI-OP) in older patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing surgery.

METHODS

From 9/2016-4/2019, we randomly assigned patients age ≥ 65 with gastrointestinal cancer planning to undergo surgical resection to receive PERI-OP or usual care. Patients assigned to PERI-OP met with a geriatrician preoperatively in the outpatient setting and postoperatively as an inpatient consultant. The primary outcome was postoperative hospital LOS. Secondary outcomes included postoperative ICU use, 90-day hospital readmission rates, and complication rates. We conducted intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analyses.

RESULTS

ITT analyses included 137/160 patients who underwent surgery (usual care = 68/78, intervention = 69/82). PP analyses included the 68 usual care patients and the 30/69 intervention patients who received the preoperative and postoperative intervention components. ITT analyses demonstrated no significant differences between intervention and usual care in postoperative hospital LOS (7.23 vs 8.21 days, P = 0.374), ICU use (23.2% vs 32.4%, P = 0.257), 90-day hospital readmission rates (21.7% vs 25.0%, P = 0.690), or complication rates (17.4% vs 20.6%, P = 0.668). In PP analyses, intervention patients had shorter postoperative hospital LOS (5.90 vs 8.21 days, P = 0.024), but differences in ICU use (13.3% vs 32.4%, P = 0.081), 90-day hospital readmission rates (16.7% vs 25.0%, P = 0.439), and complication rates (6.7% vs 20.6%, P = 0.137) remained non-significant.

CONCLUSIONS

In this randomized trial, PERI-OP did not have a significant impact on postoperative hospital LOS, ICU use, hospital readmissions, or complications. However, the subgroup who received PERI-OP as planned experienced encouraging results. Future studies of PERI-OP should include efforts, such as telehealth, to ensure the intervention is delivered as planned.

Emergency General Surgery Procedures and Cost of Care for Older Adults in the State of Maryland

BACKGROUND

Older adults (OAs) ≥ 65 years of age, representing the fastest growing segment in the United States, are anticipated to require a greater percentage of emergency general surgery procedures (EGSPs) with an associated increase in health care costs. The aims of this study were to identify the frequency of EGSP and charges incurred by OA compared to their younger counterparts in the state of Maryland.

METHODS

A retrospective review of the Maryland Health Services Cost Review Commission from 2009 to 2018 was undertaken. Patients undergoing urgent or emergent ESGP were divided into 2 groups (18-64 years and ≥65 years). Data collected included demographics, APR-severity of illness (SOI), APR-risk of mortality (ROM), the EGSP (partial colectomy [PC], small bowel resection [SBR], cholecystectomy, operative management of peptic ulcer disease, lysis of adhesions, appendectomy, and laparotomy), length of stay (LOS), and hospital charges. P-values (P < .05) were significant.

RESULTS

Of the 181,283 patients included in the study, 55,401 (38.1%) were ≥65 years of age. Older adults presented with greater APR-SOI (major 37.7% vs 21.3%, extreme 5.2% vs 9.3%), greater APR-ROM (major 25.3% vs 8.7%, extreme 22.3% vs 5.3%), underwent PC (24.5% vs 10.9%) and SBR (12.8% vs 7.0%) more frequently, and incurred significantly higher median hospital charges for every EGSP, consistently between 2009 and 2018 due to increased LOS and complications when compared to those ≤65 years of age.

CONCLUSION

These findings stress the need for validated frailty indices and quality improvement initiatives focused on the care of OAs in emergency general surgery to maximize outcomes and optimize cost.

How a Patient Personalised Clinical Pharmacy Programme Can Secure Therapeutic Care in an Orthogeriatric Care Pathway (5P Project)?

Background

A new model was developed for integrating a personalised clinical pharmacy programme (5P project) into the orthogeriatric care pathway.

Objective

To secure the therapeutic care of orthogeriatric patients.

Design and Setting

Prospective descriptive study in a multisite teaching hospital from June 2019 to January 2020.

Subjects

Patients aged ≥75 years admitted for hip fracture.

Methods

A prescription review was performed for all patients at inclusion. Other clinical pharmacy activities (additional prescription review, pharmaceutical interviews, medication reconciliation) were dedicated to “high-risk” patients. Potential medication errors (ME), either pharmaceutical interventions (PI) or unintentional discrepancies (UID), were recorded. The potential clinical impact of PI was evaluated by a pluriprofessional expert panel using a validated tool.

Results

In the 455 patients included, 955 potential ME were detected, that is ≥1 potential ME for 324/455 (71%) patients. In acute care, 561 PI were formulated during prescription review for 440/455 (97%) patients and 348/561 (62%) were accepted by physicians. Medication reconciliation was performed for 213 patients, 316 UID were identified. In rehabilitation units, a second prescription review was performed for 112/122 (92%) “high-risk” patients, leading to 61 PI. The clinical impact was evaluated for 519/622 (83%) PI. A consensus was obtained for 310/519 (60%) PI: 147/310 (47%) were rated as having minor clinical impact, 138/310 (45%) moderate, 22/310 (7%) major, 2/310 (0.6%) vital, and 1/310 (0.3%) null.

Conclusion

The 5P project secured the orthogeriatric care pathway by detecting a great number of potential ME, including PI mostly considered as having a significant clinical impact.

Lack of Association Between Perioperative Medication and Postoperative Delirium in Hip Fracture Patients in an Orthogeriatric Care Pathway

OBJECTIVES

Units for perioperative geriatric care are playing a growing role in the care of older patients after hip fracture surgery. Postoperative delirium is one of the most common complications after hip fracture, but no study has assessed the impact of therapeutics received during a dedicated orthogeriatric care pathway on its incidence. Our main objective was to assess the association between drugs used in emergency, operating, and recovery departments and postoperative delirium during the acute stay.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

All patients ≥70 years old admitted for hip fracture to the emergency department and hospitalized in our unit for perioperative geriatric care after hip fracture surgery under general anesthesia between July 2009 and December 2019 in an academic hospital in Paris.

METHODS

Demographic, clinical, and biological data and all medications administered pre-, peri-, and postoperatively were prospectively collected by 3 geriatricians. Postoperative delirium in the unit for perioperative geriatric care was assessed by using the confusion assessment method scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess variables independently associated with postoperative delirium.

RESULTS

A total of 490 patients were included [mean (SD) age 87 (6) years]; 215 (44%) had postoperative delirium. The occurrence was not associated with therapeutics administered during the dedicated orthogeriatric care pathway. Probability of postoperative delirium was associated with advanced age [>90 years, odds ratio (OR) 2.03, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07-3.89], dementia (OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.14--5.82), depression (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.14-3.01), and preoperative use of beta-blockers (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.10-2.79).

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

No emergency or anesthetic drugs were significantly associated with postoperative delirium. Further studies are needed to demonstrate a possible causal link between preoperative use of beta-blockers and postoperative delirium.

A Rehabilitation-Based Multidisciplinary Care Model Reduces Hip Fracture Mortality in Older Adults

Purpose

In older adults, the one-year mortality rate after experiencing a hip fracture ranges between 8% and 36%. The purpose of this study was to look at the efficacy of rehabilitation-based multidisciplinary care for older individuals who had hip fractures.

Patients and Methods

The study included 185 people (aged 65 and over) with a history of hip fracture surgery between February 2014 and March 2017. A survey was conducted one month and six months following the operation to assess the recovery of 93 individuals who were part of a rehabilitation-based multidisciplinary care program and 92 patients who were getting standard therapy with surgery and unsupervised physical therapy.

Results

Physical activity, gait, balance evaluation, and depression scale ratings all had statistical significance (P < 0.05) after participants received rehabilitation-based care services from multidisciplinary medical professionals. Furthermore, the refracture and one-year mortality rates in this rehabilitation-based multidisciplinary care model were lower than in the groups getting standard therapy.

Conclusion

The research indicates the efficacy of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation strategy provided by a collaborative medical team to older individuals with hip fractures.

Orthogeriatrics: a vital requirement for improving fragility fracture patient care internationally with particular reference to Turkey

PURPOSE

Orthogeriatrics is a team approach that aims to provide adequate and timely intervention for individuals suffering from fragility fractures, particularly hip fractures. These patients are mostly the frailest older adults. The aim of orthogeriatrics is to re-gain functionality as early as possible and to decrease disability and mortality. Some developed countries have established orthogeriatric services, while many others, including Turkey, have so far not. Here, to identify areas for improvement, we outline the status of the orthogeriatrics in older adults in Turkey.

METHODS

We present clear calls for action, emphasizing possible and noteworthy areas for improvement.

RESULTS

Our proposals include the need for an easily applied, short version of comprehensive geriatric assessment; appropriate laboratory testing on admission; paracetamol with a special emphasis in its dosings and clues for state-of-the-art analgesic management; the essential need to introduce oral nutritional supplementation, irrespective of nutritional status; the need for vitamin D commencement, in almost all patients; and starting osteoporosis treatment in fracture hospitalization, whenever appropriate. Last but not least, the ever-increasing prerequisite to establish "fracture liaison services" is stipulated.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that our recommendations offer great potential in Turkey, for the improvement of frail fracture patients' care. We call the other countries that do not have established orthogeriatric lines to model our approach to improve the management of fracture patients globally.

A bibliometric analysis of orthogeriatric care: top 50 articles

Background

Population is ageing and orthogeriatric care is an emerging research topic.

Purpose

This bibliometric review aims to provide an overview, to investigate the status and trends in research in the field of orthogeriatric care of the most influential literature.

Methods

From the Core Collection databases in the Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge, the most influential original articles with reference to orthogeriatric care were identified in December 2020 using a multistep approach. A total of 50 articles were included and analysed in this bibliometric review.

Results

The 50 most cited articles were published between 1983 and 2017. The number of total citations per article ranged from 34 to 704 citations (mean citations per article: n = 93). Articles were published in 34 different journals between 1983 and 2017. In the majority of publications, geriatricians (62%) accounted for the first authorship, followed by others (20%) and (orthopaedic) surgeons (18%). Articles mostly originated from Europe (76%), followed by Asia–pacific (16%) and Northern America (8%). Key countries (UK, Sweden, and Spain) and key topic (hip fracture) are key drivers in the orthogeriatric research. The majority of articles reported about therapeutic studies (62%).

Conclusion

This bibliometric review acknowledges recent research. Orthogeriatric care is an emerging research topic in which surgeons have a potential to contribute and other topics such as intraoperative procedures, fractures other than hip fractures or elective surgery are related topics with the potential for widening the field to research.

Activities of daily living associated with postoperative intensive care unit survival in elderly patients following elective major abdominal surgery: An observational cohort study

Elderly patients who undergo major abdominal surgery are being in increasing numbers. Intensive care unit (ICU) survival is critical for surgical decision-making process. Activities of daily living (ADL) are associated with clinical outcomes in the elderly. We aimed to investigate the relationship between ADL and postoperative ICU survival in elderly patients following elective major abdominal surgery.We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving patients aged ≥65 years admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) following elective major abdominal surgery. Data from all patients were extracted from the electronic medical records. The Barthel Index (BI) was used to assess the level of dependency in ADL at the time of hospital admission.ICU survivors group had higher Barthel Index (BI) scores than non-survivors group (P < .001). With the increase of BI score, postoperative ICU survival rate gradually increased. The ICU survivals in patients with BI 0-20, BI 21-40, BI 41-60, BI 61-80 and BI 81-100 were 55.7%, 67.6%, 72.4%, 83.3% and 84.2%, respectively. In logistic regression, The Barthel Index (BI) was significantly correlated with the postoperative ICU survival in elderly patients following elective major abdominal surgery (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.20-1.47, P = .02). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of Barthel Index in predicting postoperative ICU survival was 0.704 (95% CI, 0.638-0.771). Kaplan-Meier survival curve in BI≥30 patients and BI < 30 patients showed significantly different.Activity of daily living upon admission was associated with postoperative intensive care unit survival in elderly patients following elective major abdominal surgery. The Barthel Index(BI) ≥30 was associated with increased postoperative ICU survival. For the elderly with better functional status, they could be given more surgery opportunities. For those elderly patients BI < 30, these results provide useful information for clinicians, patients and their families to make palliative care decisions.

Do standardized hip fracture care programs decrease mortality in geriatric hip fracture patients?

There is mounting support for the implementation of a standardized hip fracture program (SHFP) for geriatric patients. However, the current evidence to assess geriatric hip fracture outcomes following treatment in a SHFP is limited to small, single-center, observational studies. Using a large, multinational dataset, this study aims to assess whether enrollment in a SHFP was associated with improved 30-day patient-important outcomes in geriatric hip fracture patients. The secondary aim was to evaluate if the SHFP treatment effect varies by baseline mortality risk. An observational cohort study was conducted using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) for the years of 2016 and 2017. The study included 17,395 geriatric hip fracture patients over the age of 65. Over half (54%) of patients were enrolled in a SHFP on admission to hospital. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included 30-day reoperation and readmission. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate treatment effects, adjusting for race, anesthesia technique, and baseline mortality risk. The heterogeneity of treatment effect was determined by stratifying patients into quartiles based on their baseline mortality risk. The overall 30-day mortality risk was 6.6%. Enrollment in a SHFP did not reduce the 30-day risk of mortality (risk difference (RD): -0.2; 95% CI: -0.7, 0.3; p = 0.48), reoperation (RD: -0.2%; 95% CI: -0.6, 0.3; p = 0.36) or readmission (RD: -0.4%; 95% CI: -0.1, 0.4%; p = 0.20) when analyzed as a single sample. However, there were greater differences in the SHFP treatment effects when stratified by their preoperative mortality risk. Specifically, a 2.0% (95% CI: 4.2, 0.0%; p = 0.06) reduction in mortality was observed in the patients in the highest risk quartile for mortality and a 1.7% (95% CI: -3.2, -0.2%; p = 0.02) reduction in the medium-high risk quartile. The NSQIP data suggest that SHFPs do not significantly improve the short-term outcomes for the average geriatric hip fracture patient. However, a SHFP may significantly reduce the risk of 30-day mortality in higher risk patients. Therefore, the efficiency of SHFPs could potentially be improved with targeted deployment to high risk geriatric hip fracture patients.

Impact of orthogeriatric management on the average length of stay of patients aged over seventy five years admitted to hospital after hip fractures

INTRODUCTION

Hip fracture is a frequent and serious condition in the elderly. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to answer the following questions: (1) Could treatment in an orthogeriatric unit help to reduce the average length of stay for patients aged over 75 years admitted to hospital for the treatment of a hip fracture?; and (2) Could such treatment influence the post-operative outcomes of patients with hip fracture?

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Our study included 534 patients admitted to hospital between January 2017 and December 2018 for surgical treatment of a hip fracture. We compared 246 patients who received traditional orthopaedic care with 288 patients treated in an orthogeriatric unit.

RESULTS

Our cohort included 410 women (77%). The average age was 87.5 ± six years, and 366 patients (68%) were living at home prior to the fracture. A statistically significant difference in median length of stay (from 10 to 9 days) was observed between patients who did and did not receive orthogeriatric unit treatment (groups 1 and 2; 95% CI: 0.64; 2.59; p = 0.001). There was no difference in pre-operative delay, intra-hospital mortality rate, place of recovery, rate of institutionalisation after six months, or the number of new fractures at 6 months between the groups. The mortality rate after six months was 23.6% and 21.3% in groups 1 and 2, respectively; the difference was not significant.

DISCUSSION

Orthogeriatric unit treatment reduced the median length of stay by one day, in line with most previous studies. According to Pablos-Hernandez et al., multifaceted orthogeriatric treatment is most effective. In our study, only 38% of the patients received surgical treatment within 48 hours, where early surgery is key for reducing the length of hospital stay. The intrahospital mortality rate was 2.6%, which is comparable to literature data. The discharge rate did not differ by orthogeriatric treatment status, which is also consistent with previous findings (e.g. Gregersen et al.). Lastly, the mortality rate after six months was slightly reduced by orthogeriatric care. In line with this, Boddaert et al. reported a difference in mortality rate after six months between groups who did and did not receive orthogeriatric treatment (15% vs. 24%).

Fecal impaction is associated with postoperative urinary retention after hip fracture surgery

BACKGROUND

Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common hip fracture (HF) complication. Although fecal impaction (FI) is one of the oft-cited causes of POUR in clinical practice, evidence regarding this association is scarce.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine whether FI was associated with POUR after HF surgery in older patients.

METHODS

All patients consecutively admitted after a HF surgery in a geriatric perioperative unit were included in this cross-sectional study. FI was systematically assessed by a digital rectal exam at admission and according to clinical suspicion during the hospital stay. The dependent variable was POUR, systematically screened according to the department protocol and defined as a bladder volume > 400 ml requiring catheterization. The association between FI and POUR was assessed by multivariable analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 256 patients were included (mean [SD] age 86 [6] years), 76% women): 108 (42%) presented FI and 63 (25%) POUR. The frequency of FI was higher with than without POUR (73% vs 32%, P<0.001). On multivariable analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, Cumulative Illness Rating Scale score and anticholinergic load, FI was the only factor independently associated with POUR (odds ratio 4.78 [95% confidence interval 2.44-9.71], P<0.001.

CONCLUSIONS

FI was the only independent factor associated with POUR after HF surgery in older adults. Further studies are needed to optimize perioperative geriatric care including FI and POUR assessment and management.

Impact of Surgery on Older Patients Hospitalized With an Acute Abdomen: Findings From the Older Persons Surgical Outcome Collaborative

Background: The impact of surgery compared to non-surgical management of older general surgical patients is not well researched.

Methods: We examined the association between management and adverse outcomes in a cohort of emergency general surgery patients aged > 65 years. This multi-center study included 727 patients (mean+/-SD, 77.1 ± 8.2 years, 54% female) admitted to five UK hospitals. Data were analyzed using multi-level crude and multivariable logistic regression. Outcomes were: mortality at Day 30 and 90, length of stay, and readmission within 30 days of discharge. Covariates assessed were management approach, age, sex, frailty, polypharmacy, anemia, and hypoalbuminemia.

Results: Approximately 25% of participants (n = 185) underwent emergency surgery. Frailty and albumin were associated with mortality at 30 (frailty OR = 3.52 [95% CI 1.66–7.49], albumin OR = 3.78 ([95% CI 1.53–9.31]), and 90 days post discharge (frailty OR = 3.20 [95% CI 1.86–5.51], albumin OR=3.25 [95% CI 1.70–6.19]) and readmission (frailty OR = 1.56 [95% CI (1.04–2.35)]). Surgically managed patients and frailty had increased odds of prolonged hospitalization (surgery OR = 5.69 [95% CI 3.67–8.80], frailty OR = 2.17 [95% CI 1.46–3.23]).

Conclusion: We found the impact of surgery on length of hospitalization in older surgical patients is substantial. Whether early comprehensive geriatric assessment and post-op rehabilitation would improve this outcome require further evaluation.

Hip Fracture Leads to Transitory Immune Imprint in Older Patients

Background: Hip fracture (HF) is common in the geriatric population and is associated with a poor vital and functional prognosis which could be impacted by immunological changes. The objective here is to decipher immune changes occurring in the 1st days following HF and determine how phenotype, function, and regulation of innate and adaptive compartments adapt during acute stress event.

Methods: We included HF patients, aged over 75 years. For each patient, blood samples were taken at five different timepoints: four in the perioperative period (day 0 to hospital discharge) and one at long term (6–12 months). Phenotypical and functional analysis were performed longitudinally on fresh blood or cryopreserved PBMCs. Clinical data were prospectively collected.

Results: One-hundred HF patients and 60 age-matched controls were included. Innate compartment exhibits pro-inflammatory phenotypes (hyperleukocytosis, increase of CD14+ CD16+ proportion and CCR2 expression), maintaining its ability to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Adaptive compartment extends toward a transitory immunosuppressive profile (leucopenia) associated with an active T-cell proliferation. Furthermore, increases of LAG-3 and PD-1 and a decrease of 2-B4 expression are observed on T-cells, reinforcing their transitory suppressive status. Of note, these immune changes are transitory and sequential but may participate to a regulation loop necessary for homeostatic immune control at long term.

Conclusion: HF is associated with several transitory immunological changes including pro-inflammatory phenotype in innate compartment and immunosuppressive profile in adaptive compartment. A comprehensive assessment of immune mechanisms implicated in the patient's prognosis after HF could pave the way to develop new immune therapeutics strategies.

Elderly patients with cancer admitted to intensive care unit: A multicenter study in a middle-income country

BACKGROUND

Very elderly critically ill patients (ie, those older than 75 or 80 years) are an increasing population in intensive care units. However, patients with cancer have encompassed only a minority in epidemiological studies of very old critically-ill patients. We aimed to describe clinical characteristics and identify factors associated with hospital mortality in a cohort of patients aged 80 or older with cancer admitted to intensive care units (ICUs).

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study in 94 ICUs in Brazil. We included patients aged 80 years or older with active cancer who had an unplanned admission. We performed a mixed effect logistic regression model to identify variables independently associated with hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Of 4604 included patients, 1807 (39.2%) died in hospital. Solid metastatic (OR = 2.46; CI 95%, 2.01-3.00), hematological cancer (OR = 2.32; CI 95%, 1.75-3.09), moderate/severe performance status impairment (OR = 1.59; CI 95%, 1.33-1.90) and use of vasopressors (OR = 4.74; CI 95%, 3.88-5.79), mechanical ventilation (OR = 1.54; CI 95%, 1.25-1.89) and renal replacement (OR = 1.81; CI 95%, 1.29-2.55) therapy were independently associated with increased hospital mortality. Emergency surgical admissions were associated with lower mortality compared to medical admissions (OR = 0.71; CI 95%, 0.52-0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Hospital mortality rate in very elderly critically ill patients with cancer with unplanned ICU admissions are lower than expected a priori. Cancer characteristics, performance status impairment and acute organ dysfunctions are associated with increased mortality.

Elderly Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Very old intensive care unit (ICU) patients, aged ≥ 80 years, are by no mean newcomers, but during the last decades their impact on ICU admissions has grown in parallel with the increase in the number of elderly persons in the community. Hence, from being a "rarity," they have now become common and constitute one of the largest subgroups within intensive care, and may easily be the largest group in 20 years and make up 30 to 40% of all ICU admissions. Obviously, they are not admitted because they are old but because they are with various diseases and problems like any other ICU patient. However, their age and the presence of common geriatric syndromes such as frailty, cognitive decline, reduced activity of daily life, and several comorbid conditions makes this group particularly challenging, with a high mortality rate. In this review, we will highlight aspects of current and future epidemiology and current knowledge on outcomes, and describe the effects of the aforementioned geriatric syndromes. The major challenge for the coming decades will be the question of whom to treat and the quest for better triage criteria not based on age alone. Challenges with the level of care during the ICU stay will also be discussed. A stronger relationship with geriatricians should be promoted to create a better and more holistic care and aftercare for survivors.

Attributable Mortality of Hip Fracture in Older Patients: A Retrospective Observational Study

Hip fracture (HF) in older patients is associated with a high six-month mortality rate. Several clinical conditions may affect outcome, including baseline characteristics, co-existing acute illnesses, perioperative factors, and postoperative complications. Our primary objective was to estimate the respective effect of these four domains on six-month mortality after HF. A retrospective observational study using a monocentric cohort of older patients was conducted. All patients ≥ 70 years old admitted to the emergency department for HF and hospitalized in our perioperative geriatric care unit from June 2009 to September 2018 were included. Among 1015 included patients, five (0.5%) were lost to follow-up, and 1010 were retained in the final analysis (mean age 86 ± 6 years). The six-month mortality rate was 14.8%. The six-month attributable mortality estimates were as follows: baseline characteristics (including age, gender, comorbidities, autonomy, type of fracture): 62.4%; co-existing acute illnesses (including acute events present before surgery that could result from the fracture or cause it): 0% (not significantly associated with six-month mortality); perioperative factors (including blood transfusion and delayed surgery): 12.3%; severe postoperative complications: 11.9%. Baseline characteristics explained less than two-thirds of the six-month mortality after HF. Optimizing patients care by improving management of perioperative factors and thus decreasing postoperative complications, could reduce by a maximum of one quarter of the six-month mortality rate after HF.

Preoperative simplified geriatric assessment in planned hip and knee arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

Hip and knee arthroplasties are the most common planned orthopedic surgical procedures in older persons. It would be useful to identify frailties before surgery to improve the outcome of older patients.

PURPOSE

The objective of this work was to identify the criteria of a simplified comprehensive geriatric assessment (mini-CGA) that were associated with unplanned hospital readmission and postoperative complications within 3 months after the planned hip and/or knee arthroplasty in patients ≥ 65 years.

METHODS

This prospective study was carried out in the orthopedic department of Marseille University Hospital from January to May 2019. A mini-CGA was performed preoperatively.

RESULTS

One hundred four patients were included in the study. The rate of early readmission within 3 months after surgery was 12.5% and the rate of postoperative complications was 40.4%. In multivariate analysis, dependence in the activities of daily living (ADL ≤ 5) was the only factor associated with unplanned readmission (aOR = 9.9, 95% CI 1.9-50.8), and living alone was the only factor associated with postoperative complications (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.2-8.8).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the ADL score was associated with the risk of unplanned readmission in older patients undergoing planned arthroplasty, and that living alone was associated with postoperative complications. A preoperative mini-CGA appears essential to limit postoperative morbidity.

Long-term survival of elderly patients after intensive care unit admission for acute respiratory infection: a population-based, propensity score-matched cohort study

Background

Intensive care unit (ICU) hospitalisations of elderly patients with acute respiratory infection have increased, yet the long-term effects of ICU admission among elderly individuals remain unknown. We examined differences over the 2 years after discharge in mortality, healthcare utilisation and frailty score between elderly survivors of ARI in the ICU and an elderly control population.

Methods

We used 2009–2017 data from 39 hospital discharge databases. Patients ≥ 80 years old discharged alive from ICU hospitalisation for acute respiratory infection were propensity score-matched with controls (cataract surgery) discharged from the hospital at the same time and adjusted for age, sex and comorbidities present before hospitalisation. We reported 2-year mortality and compared healthcare utilisation and frailty scores in the 2-year periods before and after ICU hospitalisation.

Results

One thousand two hundred and twenty elderly survivors of acute respiratory infection in the ICU were discharged, and 988 were successfully matched with controls. After discharge, patients had a 10.1-fold [95% CI, 6.1–17.3] higher risk of death at 6 months and 3.6-fold [95% CI, 2.9–4.6] higher risk of death at 2 years compared with controls. They also had a 2-fold increase in both healthcare utilisation and frailty score in the 2 years after hospital discharge, whereas healthcare utilisation and frailty scores among controls were stable before and after hospitalisation.

Conclusions

We observed a substantially increased rate of death in the years following ICU hospitalisation for elderly patients along with elevated healthcare resource use and accelerated age-associated decline as assessed by frailty score. These findings provide data for better informed goals-of-care discussions and may help target post-ICU discharge services.

Risk factors and mortality of patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: a one-year follow-up study

Hip fracture (HF) remains a main issue in the elderly patient. About 1.6 million patients a year worldwide are victims of a HF. Their incidence is expected to rise with the aging of the world’s population. Identifying risk factors is mandatory in order to reduce mortality and morbidity. The aim of the study was to identify risk factors of 1-year mortality after HF surgery. We performed an observational, prospective, single-center study at Amiens University Hospital (Amiens, France). After ethical approval, we consecutively included all patients with a HF who underwent surgery between June 2016 and June 2017. Perioperative data were collected from medical charts and by interviews. Mortality rate at 12 months was recorded. Univariate analysis was performed and mortality risk factors were investigated using a Cox model. 309 patients were analyzed during this follow-up. Mortality at 1 year was 23.9%. Time to surgery over 48 hours involved 181 patients (58.6%) while 128 patients (41.4%) had surgery within the 48 hours following the hospital admission. Independent factors associated with 1-year mortality were: age (HR at 1.059 (95%CI [1.005–1.116], p = 0,032), Lee score ≥ 3 (HR at 1,52 (95% CI [1,052–2,198], p = 0.026) and time to surgery over 48 hours (HR of 1.057 (95% CI [1.007–1.108], p = 0.024). Age, delayed surgical (over 48 hours) management and medical history are important risk factors of 1-year mortality in this French cohort

Orthogeriatric co-management for proximal femoral fractures. Can two additions make a big difference?

BACKGROUND

Proximal femoral fractures are a major socioeconomic burden and they occur mainly in geriatric patients. High mortality and complication rates are reported. To reduce the mortality and morbidity of these patients, co-management with geriatricians has been recommended. Most previous studies have focused on relatively comprehensive care models. Models with only a few additions to the usual care have not been extensively evaluated.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included all patients aged ≥70 years (mean age: 84.5 ± 7.1 years, 70% women) with an isolated proximal femoral fracture treated surgically in our institution from May 2018 to October 2019. In the first 9 months, patients were treated with the usual care (control group, n = 103). In the second 9 months, patients were treated with our multidisciplinary care model (intervention group, n = 104), which included the usual care, plus: (1) one multidisciplinary ward round per week and (2) one "elective" operation slot per day reserved for proximal femoral fractures. Baseline characteristics and outcome measures of the hospital stay were extracted from electronic health records. A 3-month follow-up was conducted by phone.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups (p > 0.05). The hospital stay was shorter in the intervention group than in the control group (7.8 ± 4.3 vs. 9.1 ± 4.5; p = 0.022). The intervention reduced the waiting time for surgery by more than 10 h (intervention: 25.4 ± 24.5 vs. control: 35.8 ± 34.1 h; p = 0.013). A structured phone interview was not performed in 30.9% of the cases. The model reduced the overall dissatisfaction rate by more than half (12.9% vs. 32.4%; p = 0.008). On the other hand, the groups had similar perioperative complication rates (25% vs. 24.3%; p > 0.9999) and mortality (4.8% vs. 3.9%; p > 0.9999) and they remained similar at the 3-month follow-up (complications: 20.3% vs. 17.6% p = 0.831, mortality: 18.2% vs. 15.0% p = 0.573).

CONCLUSION

We found that two additions to the usual proximal femoral fracture regimen could significantly improve the overall satisfaction rate, reduce the length of hospital stay and shorten the waiting time for surgery. In contrast to previous studies, we observed no significant improvements in complication or mortality rates. Further changes in the standard care might be needed for this purpose.

Prevalence of medication-related falls in 200 consecutive elderly patients with hip fractures: a cross-sectional study

Background

Hip fractures constitute a major health problem in elderly people and are often fall-related. Several factors can contribute to a fall episode leading to hip fracture, including fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs), which are often used by elderly people.

We aimed to investigate the prevalence of medication-related falls and to assess the role of FRIDs and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in a population of elderly patients hospitalized for a hip fracture.

Methods

We reviewed the patient records of 200 consecutive patients, aged ≥65 years, who were admitted for a hip fracture and evaluated whether medications were likely to have contributed to the fall episode. PIMs were identified using the Screening Tool of Older Persons’ Prescriptions version 2 (STOPP) and by evaluating indications, contra-indications and interactions of the prescribed medications for each patient.

Results

FRIDs were used by 175 patients (87.5%). Medications were considered a likely contributor to the fall in 82 patients (41%). These were most often psychotropic medications alone or in combination with antihypertensives and/or diuretics. The 82 patients with suspected medication-related falls used more medications, FRIDs and PIMs than the rest of the patients, and in 74 (90%) of the 82 patients, at least one medication considered to be a contributor to the fall was also a PIM.

Conclusions

The prevalence of suspected medication-related falls was 41%. It seems likely that a medication review could have reduced, though not eliminated, the risk of falling in this group of patients.

Hip Fracture Management: Global Approaches and Systems

Hip fractures, among the most common geriatric injuries, are associated with adverse patient outcomes and significant costs. The incidence of these fractures continues to rise with an aging population worldwide. While many factors that negatively impact patient outcomes are nonmodifiable, others, which include pre- and postoperative medical management, timing of surgical stabilization, and fracture fixation methods, are modifiable and have been shown to affect outcomes. Treatment pathways are dependent upon available resources and established systems, and comparative guidelines from different regions and countries are not well documented. This special issue seeks to highlight regional differences in hip fracture care globally and represents a collaborative work of member societies of the International Orthopaedic Trauma Association, an international association of orthopaedic societies dedicated to the promotion of musculoskeletal trauma care through advancements in patient care, research, and education. The expectation is that better understanding these differences will aid efforts to better understand, improve, and standardize existing approaches to hip fracture management worldwide.

Hypotension during hip fracture surgery and postoperative morbidity

Background

Hip fracture is a growing healthcare challenge, with 6–8% 30-day mortality and 20–30% of patients incurring major morbidity, including impaired mobilisation and ability to live independently. While observational studies have shown no benefit of general versus spinal anaesthesia on 30-day mortality, intraoperative hypotension during hip fracture surgery is associated with increased 30-day mortality regardless of anaesthetic technique. Although a recent trial on younger patients demonstrated reduced postoperative complications by maintaining intraoperative arterial blood pressure close to preoperative baseline, there are no data correlating intraoperative hypotension during hip fracture surgery with postoperative morbidity.

Objective

We evaluated the hypothesis that duration and severity of intraoperative hypotension during hip fracture surgery is associated with increased postoperative morbidity.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was carried out on n = 52 patients undergoing hip fracture surgery between January and June 2017. Measurements of patients’ intraoperative systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during anaesthesia, logged electronically through an anaesthesia information management system, were reviewed. We calculated the total duration of time where SAP or MAP were below pre-defined thresholds for hypotension (MAP < 75 mmHg, MAP < 55 mmHg, SAP ≤ 80% admission baseline or SAP ≤ 80% pre-induction baseline). Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics were generated for all relevant variables. With multivariable regression models containing known predictors, cumulative duration of hypotension was correlated with postoperative comorbidities as quantified by the Clavien-Dindo and Comprehensive Complication Indices.

Results

Mean age (± SD) was 78 ± 13 years, 75% were female, 87% were ASA II or III and 60% underwent spinal anaesthesia. Mean Comprehensive Complication Index was 20.4 ± 19.2. Lowest absolute SAP and MAP values were 82 ± 18 mmHg and 55 ± 12 mmHg respectively. Cumulative time of SAP < 80% pre-induction value adjusted to gender, age and the Charlson Comorbidity Index was associated with progression to a higher Clavien-Dindo classification (odds ratio 1.020 per additional minute; 95% CI 1.008–1.035; P = 0.003).

Conclusions

In this exploratory retrospective analysis, the cumulative time of hypotension during hip fracture surgery correlated with extensive postoperative morbidity when adjusting to other known predictors. Intraoperative cumulative time of hypotension may be a good candidate for larger prediction studies as a predictor of postoperative complications. A randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of actively minimising intraoperative hypotension on postoperative morbidity in hip fracture patients seems warranted.

Burden of fractures in France: incidence and severity by age, gender, and site in 2016

PURPOSE

Fractures are common events, but the exact incidence and severity of fractures have not been clearly determined for most anatomical sites. We estimated the incidence and severity of fractures in France regardless of the anatomical site.

METHODS

Observational cross-sectional study in France in 2016 based on the national health data system. All incident fractures in patients 20 years and older were included. We determined the anatomical fracture site (12 sites) and the severity using a 4-point scale (outpatient care, hospitalization, surgery, and in-hospital death).

RESULTS

We identified 562,094 incident fractures, predominantly occurring in women (319,858: 56.9%); with a mean age of 63.6 years, and an exponential increase after the age of 70 years. Distal upper limb (172,591: 30.7%), distal lower limb (84,602: 15.1%), and femoral neck (78,766: 14.0%) accounted for more than one-half of all fractures. Sex and age of onset distributions varied widely according to fracture sites, with earlier onset for distal lower limb fractures (mean age: 54.2 years) and distal upper limb fractures (mean age: 55.2 years) with a men predominance for skull fractures. Only 105,165 (18.7%) fractures were treated on an outpatient basis; 11,913 (2.1%) in-hospital deaths occurred in patients with a mean age of 79.5 years. High mortality was observed for skull (12.9%), rib (4.9%), and femoral fractures (femoral neck 4.3% and proximal lower limb 4.2%).

CONCLUSION

We estimated the incidence of fractures in France by sex and anatomical site. We also showed that fractures remain common and serious life events, especially in older people.

Outcomes in Multidisciplinary Team-based Approach in Geriatric Hip Fracture Care: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review analyzes the literature on the treatment of geriatric hip fractures by a multidisciplinary hip fracture service including geriatricians/internists and orthopaedic surgeons and what impact this has on patient outcomes.

METHODS

A systematic review of several databases was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies comparing an orthopaedic-led care model versus a coordinated orthogeriatrics care model or a geriatrics-led care model to treat hip fractures with reported outcomes for time to surgery, length of stay, readmission rates, and postoperative mortality were included.

RESULTS

Seventeen articles fitting the inclusion criteria were included. Differences between the results of an orthopaedic-led care model versus a coordinated orthogeriatrics care model or a geriatrics-led care model were assessed using chi-squared tests. With patients admitted under a coordinated orthogeriatrics care model or a geriatrics-led care model, there is a statistically significant decrease in time to surgery (P = 0.045), length of stay (P = 0.0036), and postoperative mortality rates (P = 0.0034).

CONCLUSIONS

Although a heterogeneous group of studies, the aggregate data from several studies using an orthogeriatrics care model or a geriatrics-led care model trend toward improvements across several clinical and cost-related outcome measures: decreased time to surgery, shorter length of stay, improved postoperative clinical outcomes, decreased mortality, and lower cost.

[Perioperative management of polymedication in geriatric patients: risk reduction and coordination with the family practitioner]

The increasing proportion of older and polymorbid people in the population also means an increase in polymedication and its risks. This places new and complex demands on the interdisciplinary and transsectoral collaboration. The preoperative, perioperative and postoperative management of polymedication is described in the article with respect to frequent risks and the chances of a systematic exchange of information. The establishment of an interdisciplinary admission routine in departments of surgery and communication with the family practitioner is crucial for patient safety.

What affects length of hospital stay? A case study from Malta

PURPOSE

Hospital length of stay (LOS) is not only a function of patient- and disease-related factors, but is also determined by other health system-wide variables. Managers and clinicians strive to achieve the best possible trade-off between patients' needs and efficient utilisation of hospital resources, while also embracing ethical decision making. The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceptions of the hospital's major stakeholders as to what affects the duration of LOS of inpatients.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

Using a data-triangulated case study approach, 50 semi-structured interviews were performed with management, doctors, nurses and patients. Additionally, the hospitals' standard operating procedures, which are pertinent to the subject, were also included in the thematic analysis.

FINDINGS

This study shows that LOS is a multi-dimensional construct, which results from a complex interplay of various inputs, processes and outcomes.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS

The findings emerging from a single case study approach cannot be generalised across settings and contexts, albeit being in line with the current literature.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The study concludes that a robust hospital strategy, which addresses deficient organisational processes that may unnecessarily prolong LOS, is needed. Moreover, the hospital's strategy must be sustained by providing good primary care facilities within the community set-up, as well as by providing more long-term care and rehabilitation beds to support the hospital turnover.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

The subject of LOS in hospitals has so far been tackled in a fragmented manner. This paper provides a comprehensive and triangulated account of the complexities surrounding the duration in which patients are kept in hospital by key stakeholders, most of whom were hands-on in the day-to-day running of the hospital under study.