Care of hip fracture patients is being undermined by a lack of rehabilitation and planned care after hospital, according to a report published today.
The analysis of care in England, Wales and Northern Ireland finds improved care in many areas based on collaboration between surgeons and geriatricians.
Two-thirds of patients now receive hospital care in accordance with best practice, according to the annual report of the National Hip Fracture Database.
The researchers say that many hospitals are struggling to move towards providing care in multi-disciplinary partnerships rather than through a "traditional" orthopaedic-led model.
The findings come from an analysis of the care of 65,000 patients in 177 hospitals. Some 72% of patients received surgery within two days of arriving in hospital.
Clinical leader Dr Antony Johansen said: "The National Hip Fracture Database has documented the success of such programmes in delivering improved hip fracture care, but many are still focused on the first hours and days of care. Patients expect high quality care throughout their recovery.
"Teams in acute hospitals must link with colleagues in rehabilitation and social care if hip fracture programmes are to deliver such care, and to understand how this supports their patients’ recovery."
Leave a Reply