A Hip Fracture Unit care pathway significantly improved mean Short Physical Performance Battery scores at 4 months (5.5 vs 3.8, p<0.001) and reduced preoperative waiting time compared to usual care.
Cohort (n=443)
Does a Hip Fracture Unit care pathway improve functional outcomes and reduce complications in hip fracture patients compared to usual care?
Implementation of a dedicated hip fracture care pathway improved physical performance and reduced preoperative waiting time, though it did not affect mortality or readmissions.
Absolute Event Rate: 5.5% vs 3.8%
p-value: p=<0.001
Background and purpose - We established a care pathway for hip fracture patients, a "Hip Fracture Unit" (HFU), aiming to provide better in-hospital care and thus improve outcome. We compared the results after introduction of the HFU with a historical control group.Patients and methods - The HFU consisted of a series of measures within the orthopedic ward, such as reducing preoperative waiting time, increased use of nerve blocks, early mobilization, and osteoporosis treatment. 276 patients admitted from May 2014 to May 2015 constituted the HFU group and 167 patients admitted from September 2009 to January 2012 constituted the historical control group. Patients were followed prospectively up to 12 months post fracture.Results - Mean preoperative waiting time was 24 hours in the HFU group and 29 hours in the control group (p = 0.003). 123 patients (47%) in the HFU were started on anti-osteoporosis treatment while in hospital. "Short Physical Performance Battery" score (SPPB) was mean 5.5 in the HFU group and 3.8 in the control group at 4 months (p < 0.001), and 5.7 vs. 3.6 at 12 months (p < 0.001). The mortality rate at 4 months was 15% in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found in readmissions, complications, new nursing home admissions, in Barthel ADL index or a mental capacity test at the follow-ups.
Svenøy et al. (Mon,) conducted a cohort in hip fracture (n=443). Hip Fracture Unit (HFU) care pathway vs. Usual care (historical control group) was evaluated on Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score at 4 months (p=<0.001). A Hip Fracture Unit care pathway significantly improved mean Short Physical Performance Battery scores at 4 months (5.5 vs 3.8, p<0.001) and reduced preoperative waiting time compared to usual care.
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