Changes in Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Surgery for Hip Fractures Following the Initiation of Orthogeriatric Service: Temporal Trend Analysis

Ben Fluck; Keefai Yeong; Radcliffe Lisk; Hazel Watters; Jonathan Robin; David Fluck; Christopher H Fry; Thang S Han

doi:10.1007/s00223-021-00906-4

Changes in Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Surgery for Hip Fractures Following the Initiation of Orthogeriatric Service: Temporal Trend Analysis

Calcif Tissue Int. 2022 Feb;110(2):185-195. doi: 10.1007/s00223-021-00906-4. Epub 2021 Aug 27.

Authors

Ben Fluck¹, Keefai Yeong², Radcliffe Lisk², Hazel Watters², Jonathan Robin³, David Fluck⁴, Christopher H Fry⁵, Thang S Han⁶

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, TW20 0EX, Surrey, UK.
² Department of Orthogeriatrics, Ashford and St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0PZ, Surrey, UK.
³ Department of Acute Medicine, Ashford and St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0PZ, Surrey, UK.
⁴ Department of Cardiology, Ashford and St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust, Guildford Road, Chertsey, KT16 0PZ, Surrey, UK.
⁵ School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, UK.
⁶ Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, TW20 0EX, Surrey, UK. thang.han@rhul.ac.uk.

Abstract

The Blue Book published by the British Orthopaedic Association and British Geriatrics Society, together with the introduction of National Hip Fracture Database Audit and Best Practice Tariff, have been influential in improving hip fracture care. We examined ten-year (2009-2019) changes in hip fracture outcomes after establishing an orthogeriatric service based on these initiatives, in 1081 men and 2891 women (mean age = 83.5 ± 9.1 years). Temporal trends in the annual percentage change (APC) of outcomes were identified using the Joinpoint Regression Program v4.7.0.0. The proportions of patients operated beyond 36 h of admission fell sharply during the first two years: APC = - 53.7% (95% CI - 68.3, - 5.2, P = 0.003), followed by a small rise thereafter: APC = 5.8% (95% CI 0.5, 11.3, P = 0.036). Hip surgery increased progressively in patients > 90 years old: APC = 3.3 (95% CI 1.0, 5.8, P = 0.011) and those with American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade ≥ 3: APC = 12.4 (95% CI 8.8, 16.1, P < 0.001). There was a significant decline in pressure ulcers amongst patients < 90 years old: APC = - 17.9 (95% CI - 32.7, 0.0, P = 0.050) and also a significant decline in mortality amongst those > 90 years old: APC = - 7.1 (95% CI - 12.6, - 1.3, P = 0.024). Prolonged length of stay (> 23 days) declined from 2013: APC = - 24.6% (95% CI - 31.2, - 17.4, P < 0.001). New discharge to nursing care declined moderately over 2009-2016 (APC = - 10.6, 95% CI - 17.2, - 2.7, P = 0.017) and sharply thereafter (APC = - 47.5%, 95%CI - 71.7, - 2.7, P = 0.043). The rate of patients returning home was decreasing (APC = - 2.9, 95% CI - 5.1, - 0.7, P = 0.016), whilst new discharge to rehabilitation was increasing (APC = 8.4, 95% CI 4.0, 13.0; P = 0.002). In conclusion, the establishment of an orthogeriatric service was associated with a reduction of elapsed time to hip surgery, a progressive increase in surgery carried out on high-risk adults and a decline in adverse outcomes.

Keywords: Discharge destination; Join-point analysis; Length of stay; Mortality; Temporal trends.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Geriatrics*
Hip Fractures* / surgery
Hospitalization
Humans
Length of Stay
Male
Orthopedics*