The introduction of a multidisciplinary hip fracture pathway can optimise patient care and reduce mortality: a prospective audit of 161 patients

Aim A new multidisciplinary hip fracture pathway, based on national BOA and NICE guidance, was introduced in our institution to facilitate rapid preoperative medical optimisation and early surgery for patients with hip fractures. The aim of this audit was to assess its impact on patient care and outcomes. Method A prospective audit of 161 patients admitted with a fractured neck of femur was conducted in the six months before (92 patients) and after (69 patients) implementation of the new pathway. Data included: time to orthogeriatric assessment (TtG); time to surgery (TtS); length of hospital stay (LOS); return to original accommodation; and inpatient mortality rate. Significance was tested using Chi Squared, Fisher's exact and unpaired Student t-Tests. Results The two groups of patients were equivalent in terms of age, male:female ratio, ASA grade and preoperative AMTS. In the six months after the introduction of the pathway, 85% of patients received a pre-operative medical assessment compared to 19% before (p=0.0001). Average TtG dropped from 91 to 19 hours (p=0.0001). LOS dropped from 24.8 days to 19.5 days (p=0.029). Furthermore, a significant reduction in mortality of 10% (14% before, 4% after, p=0.0336) was found, with an increase in the proportion of patients returning to their original place of accommodation (57% before, 80% after, p=0.0069). Whilst limited by theatre scheduling, there was an observed reduction in TtS of 6 hours (37 vs 31, p=0.0663). Conclusions Rapid medical optimisation and prompt surgery can significantly reduce length of stay and inpatient mortality of patients with hip fractures. This is especially important in light of their often fragile physiological state and complex co-morbidities. Successful implementation of a multidisciplinary hip fracture pathway can increase the return of patients to their preoperative accommodation, thus maintaining their level of pre-morbid independence and potentially leading to significant future cost savings.