A Comprehensive Hip Fracture Program Reduces Complication Rates and Mortality

535 consecutive patients aged 40 and older (94% >= 60) hospitalized for hip fracture between January 1, 2003, and March 31, 2004. 336 patients (70.3%) were community dwellers and 159 (29.7%) were admitted from nursing homes.

Comprehensive multidisciplinary fast-track treatment and care program (optimized program) including a switch from systemic opiates to a local femoral nerve catheter block, earlier assessment by the anesthesiologist, and a more-systematic approach to nutrition, fluid and oxygen therapy, and urinary retention.

Historical control (standard care before the introduction of the optimized program).

Rate of postoperative complications, length of stay, and 1-year mortality.hard clinical