Hip fracture management for the hospital-based clinician: a review of the evidence and best practices

Cost-DALY comparison of hip replacement care in 12 Belgian hospitals

BACKGROUND

In view of the expected increase in expenditure on hip replacement treatment in Belgium, the complication rate and potential waste reduction, as estimated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, we are not yet in a position to assess the efficiency of hip replacement treatment in Belgian hospitals. This objective study uses a cost-disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) ratio to propose a comparison of hip replacement surgery among 12 Belgian hospitals.

METHODS

Our study seeks to innovate by proposing an interhospital comparison that simultaneously integrates the weighting of quality indicators and the costs of managing a patient. To this end, we associated a DALY impact with each patient safety indicator, readmission and mortality outcome. We then compared hospitals using both costs and DALYs adjusted to their case mix index. The adjusted values (costs and DALYs) were obtained by relating the observed value to the predicted value obtained from the linear regression model.

RESULTS

We registered a total of 246.5 DALYs for the 12 hospital institutions, the average cost (SD) of a stay being €8013 (€4304). Our model allowed us to identify hospitals with observed values higher than those predicted. Out of the 12 hospitals evaluated, 4 need to reduce costs and DALYs impacts, 6 have to improve one of the two factors and 2 appear to have good results. The costs for the worst performing hospitals can rise to over €150 000.

CONCLUSION

Evaluating the rates of patient safety indicators, associated with cost, is a prerequisite for quality and cost improvement efforts on the part of managers and practitioners. However, it appears essential to evaluate the entire care chain using a comparable unit of measurement. The hospital's case mix index must also be considered in benchmarking to avoid drawing the wrong conclusions. In addition, other indicators, such as the patient's perception of the actual results, should be added to our study.

Needs of Chinese patients undergoing home-based rehabilitation after hip replacement: A qualitative study

Background

The needs of Chinese patients undergoing home-based rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery remain unclear. In this study, we qualitatively investigated the needs of Chinese patients undergoing home-based rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery.

Methods

A total of 21 participants undergoing home-based rehabilitation after hip replacement surgery were included in this study. Individual semi-structured interviews involving all participants were performed to determine the needs and experiences of this patient population during home-based rehabilitation. Data were subjected to qualitative content analysis.

Results

The patients had numerous needs during rehabilitation. Three substantive themes, namely, the need to obtain health-related knowledge, the need to obtain care and support, and the needs of those who cannot perform self-care, were identified from the qualitative data. The participants shared valuable insights into their needs during home-based rehabilitation after hip replacement and provided potential suggestions.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing home-based rehabilitation after hip replacement have several strong needs and lack proper guidance. The initial and continuous engagement of rehabilitation professionals and the establishment of related policies based on patient’s needs are potential approaches for improving the effectiveness of home-based rehabilitation after hip replacement.

Functional outcomes and mortality in geriatric and fragility hip fractures-results of an integrated, multidisciplinary model experienced by the "Florence hip fracture unit"

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of an integrated multidisciplinary hip fracture unit through the following parameters: time to surgery, mortality, return to activities of daily living, adherence to re-fractures prevention programs.

METHODS

Six hundred seventy-seven consecutive patients with hip fracture were included in the study. We calculated the time to surgery as the time in hours from admission until surgery. The in-hospital mortality was calculated as the number of deaths that occurred before discharge. Each patient was then evaluated post-operatively at six weeks, three months, and one year. We studied basic activity of daily living (BADL) and the New Mobility Scale (NMS). Adherence to re-fractures prevention programs was also evaluated.

RESULTS

88.9% of patients underwent surgery within two calendar days from admission. In-hospital mortality was 2.4%, and the overall mortality at one year from the intervention was 18.7%. Full mobility status or a low impairment of the mobility status was reached in 32.1% of the patients at one year and a level ≥ 3 of autonomy in BADL was reached in 62.4% (338/542) of patients. Three hundred forty-two patients were prescribed a specific therapy for secondary prevention of re-fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

An integrated, multidisciplinary model for the treatment of hip fragility fractures was effective in reducing time to surgery and mortality, increasing the level autonomy and mobility status and promoting adherence to re-fracture therapy.

Scoping review of potential quality indicators for hip fracture patient care

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to identify existing or potential quality of care indicators (ie, current indicators as well as process and outcome measures) in the acute or postacute period, or across the continuum of care for older adults with hip fracture.

DESIGN

Scoping review.

SETTING

All care settings.

SEARCH STRATEGY

English peer-reviewed studies published from January 2000 to January 2016 were included. Literature search strategies were developed, and the search was peer-reviewed. Two reviewers independently piloted all forms, and all articles were screened in duplicate.

RESULTS

The search yielded 2729 unique articles, of which 302 articles were included (11.1%). When indicators (eg, in-hospital mortality, acute care length of stay) and potential indicators (eg, comorbidities developed in hospital, walking ability) were grouped by the outcome or process construct they were trying to measure, the most common constructs were measures of mortality (outcome), length of stay (process) and time-sensitive measures (process). There was heterogeneity in definitions within constructs between studies. There was also a paucity of indicators and potential indicators in the postacute period.

CONCLUSIONS

To improve quality of care for patients with hip fracture and create a more efficient healthcare system, mechanisms for the measurement of quality of care across the entire continuum, not just during the acute period, are required. Future research should focus on decreasing the heterogeneity in definitions of quality indicators and the development and implementation of quality indicators for the postacute period.

Trends in hip fracture rates in Taiwan: a nationwide study from 1996 to 2010

There was an initial increase and a later decrease in hip fracture rates in Taiwan between 1996 and 2010 (457.9 to 390.0 fractures per 100,000 people per year). Mortality rates decreased but re-emerged later (2.26 to 1.91 deaths per 100 hip fracture admissions). The turning point for change in trends was 2003.

INTRODUCTION

Fractures of the proximal femur remain a major cause of mortality and morbidity. We aimed to examine recent trends in hip fracture rates, in-hospital mortality rates, and length of hospital stay (LOS) due to hip fractures in people aged 55 and over in Taiwan.

METHODS

This is a time-trend study. We used data from the National Health Insurance Research Database between 1996 and 2010 in Taiwan. Insurants aged 55 and over were included. The outcome measures were age-adjusted hip fracture rates, age-adjusted in-hospital mortality rates, and LOS due to hip fractures. We classified hip fractures into femoral neck, trochanteric, and subtrochanteric fractures.

RESULTS

We identified 250,919 hospitalizations for hip fractures. The total number of hip fractures increased steadily from 12,479 to 19,841 cases. There was a trend towards initial increase and then later decrease in hip fracture rates (from 457.9 to 390.0 fractures per 100,000 people per year). LOS decreased by 46.5 % (17.53 to 9.38 days). By contrast, mortality rates for hip fractures decreased initially, but re-emerged later with a total decrement of 15.5 % (2.26 to 1.91 deaths per 100 hip fracture admissions). Women outnumbered men in all types of hip fractures, but men had higher in hospital mortality rates. LOS was similar between genders and among age groups. The turning point for change in trends was year 2003.

CONCLUSIONS

While LOS shortened gradually since 1996, the absolute number of hip fractures in Taiwan continues to rise. There is still room for improvement in reducing mortality due to hip fractures.

Orthogeriatric care: improving patient outcomes

Hip fractures are a very serious socio-economic problem in western countries. Since the 1950s, orthogeriatric units have introduced improvements in the care of geriatric patients admitted to hospital because of hip fractures. During this period, these units have reduced mean hospital stays, number of complications, and both in-hospital mortality and mortality over the middle term after hospital discharge, along with improvements in the quality of care and a reduction in costs. Likewise, a recent clinical trial has reported greater functional gains among the affected patients. Studies in this field have identified the prognostic factors present upon admission or manifesting themselves during admission and that increase the risk of patient mortality or disability. In addition, improved care afforded by orthogeriatric units has proved to reduce costs. Nevertheless, a number of management issues remain to be clarified, such as the optimum anesthetic, analgesic, and thromboprophylactic protocols; the type of diagnostic and therapeutic approach best suited to patients with cognitive problems; or the efficiency of the programs used in convalescence units or in home rehabilitation care. Randomized clinical trials are needed to consolidate the evidence in this regard.

Disability and multimorbidity in women older than 50 years: a population-based household survey

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of disability and associated factors in Brazilian women older than 50 years.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study (in the form of a population survey) of 622 women older than 50 years and residing in Campinas, Brazil. Disability was assessed through a questionnaire with seven items and defined as "being completely unable to perform any of them." Independent variables included self-perception of health, sociodemographic data, health-related habits, and morbidities. Statistical analysis was carried out by χ(2) test and Poisson regression.

RESULTS

The mean age of women was 64.1 years, and the prevalence of disability was 43.4%. Age (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03), fear of falling (PR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.17-2.16), higher body mass index (PR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.05), personal history of myocardial infarction (PR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.06-1.76), smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day (PR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.04-1.72), hospitalization in the past year (PR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.03-1.62), multimorbidity (PR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.02-2.02), and use of any medication prescribed by a doctor (PR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.02-2.41) were associated with a higher prevalence of disability. Self-perception of health as good/very good (PR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.52-0.86), use of alternative medications (PR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33-0.90), and more years of schooling (PR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45-0.93) were associated with a lower prevalence of disability.

CONCLUSIONS

The results improve our understanding of the factors associated with disability in Brazilian women and may help identify those who need multidisciplinary support to reduce effects on quality of life.

A restrictive policy for red blood cell transfusion in older hip fracture patients: experiences from a patient register

Background

Allogeneic red blood cell transfusions (ABT) are common in older hip fracture patients. Recent research supports a restrictive transfusion policy. The aim was to study variation in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and clinical outcomes in these patients.

Results

Cross-sectional study with one-year follow-up in an orthogeriatric unit. Data were obtained from a quality register with demographic and medical information collected by an interdisciplinary team. 106 (22 %) of the 491 patients admitted from September 2011 throughout September 2012 (76 % women, mean age 85 years) received ABT. When given ABT, 80 % had Hb <80 g/l and mean Hb was 78 g/l. Mean Hb, regardless ABT, showed variation from 125 g/l (±16) on admission to 106 g/l (±17), 101 g/l (±16) and 102 g/l (±14) on 1st, 3rd and 5th postoperative day respectively. Patients with per-/subtrochanteric fractures more often received ABT than those with femur neck fractures (p < 0.001), 70 % of the patients receiving ABT had a per-/subtrochanteric fracture. Patients who received ABT were older, had more chronic diseases and lower mean Hb throughout the hospital stay. Length of stay was longer (median 7 vs. 6 days, p = 0.01), and medical complications more common. In-hospital and 30-day mortalities were similar in patients given ABT and in those who were not, but 1-year mortality was higher among patients who were given ABT (p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Hb had a tendency to fall during the three first days after surgery and seemed to be stabilized on day 5. Patients who received ABT had poorer health, but not significantly higher short-term mortality. This study demonstrates a restrictive transfusion policy.

[Delirium prevention and treatment in elderly hip fracture]

The fracture of the proximal femur or hip fracture in the elderly usually happens after a fall and carries a high morbidity and mortality. One of the most common complications during hospitalization for hip fracture is the onset of delirium or acute confusional state that in elderly patients has a negative impact on the hospital stay, and prognosis, worsening functional ability, cognitive status and mortality. Also the development of delirium during hospitalization increases health care costs. Strategies to prevent and treat delirium during hospitalization for hip fracture have been less studied. In this context, this paper aims to conduct a review of the literature on strategies that exist in the prevention and treatment of delirium in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Percutaneous compression plate versus proximal femoral nail anti-rotation in treating elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures: a prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND

The treatment and management of hip fracture poses a great challenge for clinicians in osteology and surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical effectiveness of the percutaneous compression plate (PCCP) versus proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

METHODS

A prospective randomized study was carried out from January 2008 to October 2011 involving 90 elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures (90 hips) who underwent minimally invasive surgery using the PCCP or PFNA. Evaluation variables, including operation time, intra- and perioperative blood loss, duration of hospital stay, incidence of postoperative complications, and final clinical outcomes by the end of follow-up, were used to compare the benefits of these two implants.

RESULTS

Among 90 subjects, 45 received PCCPs and 45 received PFNAs. The baseline characteristics of the two groups were comparable. The median follow-up time was 16.9 months (12-24 months). In the PCCP group, the mean operative time was 53 min (40-75 min), and the mean intra- and perioperative blood losses were 100.7 ml (60-150 ml) and 916 ml (433-1339 ml), respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the PFNA group. Nevertheless, there was no statistical difference in the incidence of postoperative complications and final clinical outcomes including pain complaints, range of motion of the hip, postoperative hip function at 12 months, and the recovery of walking ability to pre-injury status between these two implants.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the PCCP and PFNA appear to have similar clinical effects in treating elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures, although the PCCP provided shorter operation times and less blood loss than PFNA. Both implants discussed were demonstrated to be ideal for the treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in elderly patients.

Co-managed care: the gold standard for geriatric fracture care

With a worldwide aging population, the incidence and consequences of geriatric fractures are assuming an increasing importance to health care providers and institutions. Studies have shown that optimal efficient management ensures the best outcome for the patient, at the least cost to the institution. A review of the recent literature was performed to establish the current best evidence ie, gold standard, for geriatric fracture care. Given the complexities of the subject, randomized controlled trials are difficult and confounded by the multiple medical issues of the population being studied. RCT's are best suited to study individual questions, rather than systems of care. Hence, the importance of peer-reviewed models of care, as well as prospective population registries is established in defining what the gold standard of care should be for this vulnerable population.

Hip fracture and urinary incontinence--use of indwelling catheter postsurgery

BACKGROUND

Norway has a higher incidence of hip fractures than any other country. For older individuals, a hip fracture may cause dramatic changes in health status like incontinence and daily activities. Patients with hip fractures are at high risk of urinary incontinence (UI) after surgical repair. A urinary indwelling catheter (UIC) is inserted preoperatively, but should be removed within 24 hours. Our aims were to identify indicators that might predict clinical challenges related to urinary incontinence 1 year after hip fractures.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria were patients with hip fracture age 65 years or older. They were admitted form their own home to two acute-care hospitals during 2004-2006. We used the Resident Assessment Instrument for Acute Care.

RESULTS

A total of 331 patients were included. Thirty-five (11%) had UIC 72 hours after surgery. These patients had more frequently experienced delirium, urinary tract infection, cognitive impairment and discouragement than their counterparts. After 12 months, patients with previous UI had lower functioning levels than those with no previous UI. They had moved four times more frequently to a nursing home and had over twice the mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Patient with UI should be followed up with a multidisciplinary team after discharged from hospital.