scholarly journals REducing unwarranted variation in the Delivery of high qUality hip fraCture services in England and Wales (REDUCE): protocol for a mixed-methods study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e049763
Author(s):  
Rita Patel ◽  
Sarah Drew ◽  
Antony Johansen ◽  
Tim Chesser ◽  
Muhammad K Javaid ◽  
...  

IntroductionSubstantial variation in the delivery of hip fracture care, and patient outcomes persists between hospitals, despite established UK national standards and guidelines. Patients’ outcomes are partly explained by patient-level risk factors, but it is hypothesised that organisational-level factors account for the persistence of unwarranted variation in outcomes. The mixed-methods REducing unwarranted variation in the Delivery of high qUality hip fraCture services in England and Wales (REDUCE) study, aims to determine key organisational factors to target to improve patient care.Methods and analysisQuantitative analysis will assess the outcomes of patients treated at 172 hospitals in England and Wales (2016–2019) using National Hip Fracture Database data combined with English Hospital Episodes Statistics; Patient Episode Database for Wales; Civil Registration (deaths) and multiple organisational-level audits to characterise each service provider. Statistical analyses will identify which organisational factors explain variation in patient outcomes, and typify care pathways with high-quality consistent patient outcomes. Documentary analysis of 20 anonymised British Orthopaedic Association hospital-initiated peer-review reports, and qualitative interviews with staff from four diverse UK hospitals providing hip fracture care, will identify barriers and facilitators to care delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a major challenge to the resilience of services and interviews will explore strategies used to adapt and innovate. This system-wide understanding will inform the development, in partnership with key national stakeholders, of an ‘Implementation Toolkit’ to inform and improve commissioning and delivery of hip fracture services.Ethics and disseminationThis study was approved: quantitative study by London, City and East Research Ethics Committee (20/LO/0101); and qualitative study by Faculty of Health Sciences University of Bristol Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 108284), National Health Service (NHS) Health Research Authority (20/HRA/71) and each NHS Trust provided Research and Development approval. Findings will be disseminated through scientific conferences, peer-reviewed journals and online workshops.

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. e051424
Author(s):  
Pia Kjær Kristensen ◽  
Anne Mette Falstie-Jensen ◽  
Morten Madsen ◽  
Søren Paaske Johnsen

ObjectivesTo characterise and quantify possible patient-related disparities in hip fracture care including temporal changes.DesignPopulation-based cohort study.SettingAll Danish hospitals treating patients with hip fracture.Participants60 275 hip fracture patients from 2007 to 2016.InterventionsQuality of care was defined as fulfilment of eligible care process measures for the individual patient recommended by an expert panel. Using yearly logistic regression models, we predicted the individual patient’s probability for receiving high-quality care, resulting in a distribution of adjusted probabilities based on age, sex, comorbidity, fracture type, education, family mean income, migration status, cohabitation status, employment status, nursing home residence and type of municipality. Based on the distribution, we identified best-off patients (ie, the 10% of patients with the highest probability) and worst-off patients (ie, the 10% of patients with the lowest probability). We evaluated disparities in quality of care by measuring the distance in fulfilment of outcomes between the best-off and worst-off patients.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was fulfilment of all-or-none, defined as receiving all relevant process measures. Secondary outcomes were fulfilment of the individual process measures including preoperative optimisation, early surgery, early mobilisation, assessment of pain, basic mobility, nutritional risk and need for antiosteoporotic medication, fall prevention and a postdischarge rehabilitation programme.ResultsThe proportion of patients receiving high-quality care varied over time for both best-off and worst-off patients. The absolute difference in percentage points between the best-off and worst-off patients for receiving all-or-none of the eligible process measures was 12 (95% CI 6 to 18) in 2007 and 23 (95% CI 19 to 28) in 2016. Disparities were consistent for a range of care processes, including assessment of pain, mobilisation within 24 hours, assessment of need for antiosteoporotic medication and nutritional risk assessment.ConclusionsDisparity of care between best-off and worst-off patients remained substantial over time.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Ferris ◽  
Louise Brent ◽  
Jennifer Martin ◽  
Philip Crowley ◽  
Tara Coughlan

Abstract Background The Irish Hip Fracture Database is a national clinical audit developed to improve fracture care and outcomes. Lack of integration with other databases, such as a National Death Register makes determination of longer term outcomes challenging. In hospital mortality is one quality indicator that can be very accurately measured. We sought to determine in-hospital mortality in the Irish Hip Fracture Cohort between 2013 and 2017 and to determine which factors most influenced this outcome with particular reference to the IHFD quality standards. Methods A secondary analysis of the 15,603 patients in the IHFD between 2013 and 2017 was conducted. Descriptive and analytical statistics were produced. Results In-hospital mortality was 4.5% for the 5 years. Univariate logistic regression revealed 11 statistically significant predictors of in-hospital mortality of which only 4 (age, gender, pre-fracture mobility, mobilised day of/after surgery) remained significant after multivariate analysis. The most striking finding was that those patients not mobilised on the day of/after surgery were 46% more likely to die in hospital (OR 1.46, p<0.000, 95% CI 1.25-1.70). Conclusion Measuring care is challenging and often one standard cannot reflect all aspects. The ability to be mobilised on the day of or day after surgery is a good composite measure of both patient and organisational factors in hip fracture care: timely surgery, adequate pain relief, prevention of delirium, admission to a ward with philosophy, skills and resources to encourage early mobility. While early mobility has always been encouraged this data suggests its adoption as a formal standard to which all units must comply.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curran MG ◽  
Hickey P ◽  
Reddin C ◽  
Murphy R ◽  
Mohd Asri NA ◽  
...  

Abstract Background COVID-19 has caused significant challenges in the provision of safe and effective healthcare globally. Safeguarding the management of frail older adults is imperative in hip fracture care moving forward. Aims This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes of hip fracture care during the COVID-19 pandemic with the same timeframe in 2019, following significant reconfigurations in hip fracture management pathways during the pandemic. Methods We conducted a retrospective study comparing all patients treated for a hip fracture between two timeframes; March 1st2020 - May 1st 2020 and March 1st 2019 – May 1st 2019. Data was collected using the Irish Hip Fracture Database and the UHL electronic patient administration system. Results 118 patients were included in the study; 60 patients in the COVID-19 cohort and 58 patients in the control cohort. Demographic characteristics were comparable between groups. Improvements in adherence to Irish Hip Fracture Standards were noted during the COVID-19 cohort, however they were not significant. Three patients tested positive for COVID-19 during the timeframe of interest. Their length of stay (LOS) was noticeably longer than the median LOS of both groups. A significant decrease in femoral nerve blocks was noted during the COVID-19 cohort (p = < 0.001). There was a trend towards higher inpatient mortality, 30 day mortality rates and 30 day readmission in the COVID-19 cohort which was not statistically significant. ConclusionsOur study demonstrates continued adherence to the Irish Hip Fracture Standards at our institution and suggests the necessary alterations in hip fracture management did not negatively impact patient outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215145932199616
Author(s):  
Robert Erlichman ◽  
Nicholas Kolodychuk ◽  
Joseph N. Gabra ◽  
Harshitha Dudipala ◽  
Brook Maxhimer ◽  
...  

Introduction: Hip fractures are a significant economic burden to our healthcare system. As there have been efforts made to create an alternative payment model for hip fracture care, it will be imperative to risk-stratify reimbursement for these medically comorbid patients. We hypothesized that patients readmitted to the hospital within 90 days would be more likely to have a recent previous hospital admission, prior to their injury. Patients with a recent prior admission could therefore be considered higher risk for readmission and increased cost. Methods: A retrospective chart review identified 598 patients who underwent surgical fixation of a hip or femur fracture. Data on readmissions within 90 days of surgical procedure and previous admissions in the year prior to injury resulting in surgical procedure were collected. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine if recent prior admission had increased risk of 90-day readmission. A subgroup analysis of geriatric hip fractures and of readmitted patients were also performed. Results: Having a prior admission within one year was significantly associated (p < 0.0001) for 90-day readmission. Specifically, logistic regression analysis revealed that a prior admission was significantly associated with 90-day readmission with an odds ratio of 7.2 (95% CI: 4.8-10.9). Discussion: This patient population has a high rate of prior hospital admissions, and these prior admissions were predictive of 90-day readmission. Alternative payment models that include penalties for readmissions or fail to apply robust risk stratification may unjustly penalize hospital systems which care for more medically complex patients. Conclusions: Hip fracture patients with a recent prior admission to the hospital are at an increased risk for 90-day readmission. This information should be considered as alternative payment models are developed for hip fracture care.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 215145932094947
Author(s):  
James Arkley ◽  
Suhib Taher ◽  
Ján Dixon ◽  
Gemma Dietz-Collin ◽  
Stacey Wales ◽  
...  

Introduction: Patients with hip fractures can become cold during the perioperative period despite measures applied to maintain warmth. Poor temperature control is linked with increasing complications and poorer functional outcomes. There is generic evidence for the benefits of maintaining normothermia, however this is sparse where specifically concerning hip fracture. We provide the first comprehensive review in this population. Significance: Large studies have revealed dramatic impact on wound infection, transfusion rates, increased morbidity and mortality. With very few studies relating to hip fracture patients, this review aimed to capture an overview of available literature regarding hypothermia and its impact on outcomes. Results: Increased mortality, readmission rates and surgical site infections are all associated with poor temperature control. This is more profound, and more common, in older frail patients. Increasing age and lower BMI were recognized as demographic factors that increase risk of hypothermia, which was routinely identified within modern day practice despite the use of active warming. Conclusion: There is a gap in research related to fragility fractures and how hypothermia impacts outcomes. Inadvertent intraoperative hypothermia still occurs routinely, even when active warming and cotton blankets are applied. No studies documented temperature readings postoperatively once patients had been returned to the ward. This is a point in the timeline where patients could be hypothermic. More studies need to be performed relating to this area of surgery.


Geriatrics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Middleton

In the United Kingdom (UK), approximately 80,000 hip fractures each year result in an estimated annual cost of two billion pounds in direct healthcare costs alone. Various models of care exist for collaboration between orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians in response to the complex medical, rehabilitation, and social needs of this patient group. Mounting evidence suggests that more integrated models of orthogeriatric care result in superior quality of care indicators and clinical outcomes. Clinical governance through national guidelines, audit through the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD), and financial incentives through the Best Practice Tariff (providing a £1335 bonus for each patient) have driven hip fracture care in the UK forward. The demanded improvement in quality indicators has increased the popularity of collaborative care models and particularly integrated orthogeriatric services. A significant fall in 30-day mortality has resulted nationally. Ongoing data collection by the NHFD will lead to greater understanding of the impact of all elements of hip fracture care including models of orthogeriatrics.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Paibul Suriyawongpaisal ◽  
Samrit Srithamrongsawad ◽  
Pongsakorn Atiksawedparit ◽  
Khanisthar Phooseemungkun ◽  
Krongkan Bunchaiyai ◽  
...  

Introduction. Financing health systems constitutes a key element of well-functioning healthcare system. Prior to 2015, two new financial arrangements (direct-pay and E-claim systems) were introduced on a voluntary basis which aimed to pool more financial resources and improve cash flow of prehospital care systems. The aims of this study were to (1) assess the effects of direct-pay system in terms of (a) timeliness of reimbursement to EMS agencies, (b) changes in clinical care processes, and (c) the outcomes of patient care as compared to previous system; (2) identify the reasons for or against EMS agencies to participate in direct-pay system mechanisms; (3) identify the emerging issues with potential to significantly further the advancement of EMS systems. Using a mixed-methods approach, retrospective datasets of 3,769,399 individual records of call responses from 2015 to 2017 were analyzed which compared EMS units with the direct-pay system against those without in terms of time flow of claim data and patient outcomes. For qualitative data, in-depth interviews were conducted. Results. EMS units participating in both systems had the highest percentages of financial claim being made in time as compared to those not participating in any (p=0.012). However, there were not any practically meaningful differences between EMS units participating and not participating in either of the payment systems in terms of patient care such as appropriateness of response time, airway management, and outcome of treatment. Analysis of data from focus-group and individual interviews ended up with a causal loop diagram demonstrating potential explanatory mechanisms for those findings. Conclusion. It is evident that progress has been made in terms of mobilising more financial inputs and improving financial information flow. However, there is no evidence of any changes in patient outcomes and quality of care. Furthermore, whether the progress is meaningful in filling the gaps of financial demands of the prehospital care systems is still questionable. Room for future improvement of prehospital care systems was discussed with implications for other countries.


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