scholarly journals Improving Administration of Fascia-iliaca Blocks for Patients With a Fractured Neck of Femur by Clinical Audit

Author(s):  
Isaac Okereke ◽  
Sridhar Rao Sampalli

Abstract BackgroundHip fracture is the most common serious injury in older people. It is also the most common reason for older people to need emergency anaesthesia and surgery, and the commonest cause of death following an accident. A FICB is the injection of anaesthetic agents into the fascia- iliaca compartment with the effect of blocking the lumbar plexus via an anterior approach. FICB is clinically safe and efficient and provides consistent analgesic effects irrespective of the performing doctor's experience of frailty fractures of the proximal femur.Methods Data from the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) for all patients admitted with a neck of femur fracture between October 2018 and May 2019 was interrogated and audited. Results of this audit were discussed in the department of Trauma & Orthopaedics' and the Trust's mortality review meetings. Teaching sessions were held for doctors and filling out of the neck of femur fracture proforma to detail administration or not of FICB and a valid reason when the later occurred was encouraged. A re-audit was carried out in May 2020 where a retrospective study of patients admitted with a neck of femur fracture over six months from October 2019 to April 2020 was done to assess improvement in compliance rates of administration of fascia iliaca blocks.Results We noted a statistically significant increase in the number of patients who got a fascia iliaca block on presentation with a fractured neck of the femur from after our second audit (p<0.00001). There were no complications associated with the administration of FICB to patients with neck of femur fractures. ConclusionThis study showed that clinical processes could be improved through audits, staff education and by employing the use of proformas to ensure compliance.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 326-329 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. Archer ◽  
Siddhant Kapoor ◽  
Danielle Piper ◽  
Abdulrahman Odeh

Aims The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant threat to patients with neck of femur fractures. The 30-day mortality for these patients has gradually been reducing in the UK due to a multitude of inputs aimed at improving their outcomes. We provided an early assessment of 30-day mortality in neck of femur fracture patients who contracted COVID-19. Methods We identified 18 patients who were admitted from three acute hospital sites who underwent an operation for a neck of femur fracture and were diagnosed with COVID-19 between 25 March and 25 April 2020. We collected information on their age, American Association of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, diagnosis, surgical procedure, complications, and 30-day mortality. Results Our study identified 18 patients who were all diagnosed with a positive swab result during the postoperative period. Female patients made up two-thirds of the patient cohort and the mean age of patients was 82 years (55 to 101). In all, ten patients sustained intracapsular fractures with eight sustaining extracapsular fractures. The 30-day mortality in this group of patients was 22.2% as compared to 4% 30-day mortality in those without COVID-19. Conclusion Our results show a 30-day mortality of 22.2%, which is higher than the national average provided by the 2019 National Hip Fracture Database report. However, while 30-day mortality has increased in those patients with COVID-19, this should not impact upon the provision of hip fracture surgery as it provides significant benefits to the patient such as pain relief and early mobilization. However, the information presented in this study should form an important part of the informed consent process for surgery. A multidisciplinary approach is crucial in ensuring optimal care for this complex patient group. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-7:326–329.


BJS Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
O A Javed ◽  
M J Khan ◽  
Y Abbas ◽  
S Pillai ◽  
K Hristova ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Elderly patients with femoral fractures are often frail and require a multidisciplinary approach to optimise medical care, rehabilitation and prevention of further injury. Previously, neck of femur fracture patients were the focus of such an approach, but NICE and BOAST guidelines emphasise extending this care to other elderly trauma patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of 43 patients over 60 years old at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in 2019 with a femoral fracture other than a neck of femur fracture. BOAST guideline standards were surgery within 36 hours, orthogeriatric assessment within 72 hours, a documented ceiling of treatment, falls risk assessment, bone health review, nutritional assessment and physiotherapy review. Results Our study showed worse outcomes in all standards for patients with femoral shaft, distal femur and periprosthetic femur fractures compared to neck of femur fractures: surgery within 36 hours (63.9% vs. 66%); orthogeriatric assessment within 72 hours (32.6% vs. 91.9%); falls risk assessment (76.7% vs. 99.6%); bone health review (41.9% vs. 99.7%); nutritional assessment (55.8% vs. 99.6%); physiotherapy review (97.7% vs. 98.9%). The group also had worse outcomes for average length of stay (19 days vs. 14 days) and 30 day mortality (9.3% vs. 8.6%). Discussion Our study showed a discrepancy in care received by elderly patients with femoral fractures other than neck of femur. We will introduce a proforma for all femoral fractures, present our findings to orthogeriatric, bone health and physiotherapy teams to involve them in the care of such patients and re-audit following these recommendations.


2007 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 75-76
Author(s):  
J Fingleton ◽  

Seizures are a common presenting complaint in acute medicine and post-ictal patients can pose a diagnostic challenge. Approximately 1% of patients presenting after a seizure will have sustained a fracture. Delayed diagnosis is common and can lead to worse functional outcomes. A case of occult bilateral neck of femur fracture secondary to seizure is presented together with a review of the literature.


2020 ◽  
pp. 112070002097202
Author(s):  
Hiba Khan ◽  
Al-Achraf Khoriati ◽  
Stefan Lazic ◽  
Jack Navein ◽  
Ritesh Sharma ◽  
...  

Introduction: Hip fractures are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Early surgery has been shown to reduce mortality rates and surgical complications. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade is a widely used tool to assess preoperative health of patients. This study aims to assess is whether delay in surgical time has a greater impact on the mortality rates for high risk patients. Method: Retrospective study using the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) of 4883 neck of femur fracture patients. Time of surgery, ASA grade, reason for delay and mortality at 120 days was analysed, using statistical analysis software. Results: There was a significant increase in mortality ( p < 0.001) with increasing ASA grade. Surgical delays of more than 36 hours increased mortality by 2.9%. The impact of delaying surgery became more pronounced as the ASA grade increased. ASA 3 and above had an optimum time to surgery of between 12 and 24 hours giving the statistically significant lowest mortality rate ( p = 0.004). Discussion: Surgical delay beyond the 36-hour target for surgery has a greater impact on mortality for patients with higher ASA grades. The effect is most profound in the high-risk ASA grade 5 patients with delayed patients showing a 37.5% increase in mortality in this group. This would imply that by prioritising this higher risk group and operating on it within a specific time frame there would be a subsequent fall in mortality associated with neck of femur fractures.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Linardatou Novak ◽  
B Davies ◽  
A Bacon ◽  
A MacDowell

Abstract Aim We wanted to see how the virus has impacted the management and outcome of our neck of femur fracture patients during Spring 2020. Method We performed a retrospective study of all neck of femur fracture patients presenting to our hospital from 23rd March 2020 (start of official lockdown in UK) until the end of May 2020 and compared them to patients presenting in the same time period in 2019. We recorded patient demographics, COVID-19 swab results, time to surgery, length of stay, transfers between wards, and 30-day mortality rates. Results We identified 75 patients in 2020 compared to 88 in 2019. Average length of stay was 11.4 days compared to 14.3 a year earlier. Mean time to surgery was 32.3 hours compared to 31.6 in 2019. The 30-day mortality increased significantly from 5.7% (5/88) in 2019 to 16% (12/75) in 2020 (p &lt; 0.05) From 73 patients tested for COVID-19, 3 had a positive swab. Of these, 2 died. During their admission, 14 patients were transferred to 3 or more wards; in this group, 30-day mortality was 42.9% (6/14). Conclusions There has been a significant increase in 30-day mortality during COVID-19. Despite maintaining our time to surgery and reducing overall length of stay, we saw an increase in mortality, associated with multiple ward transfers rather than a high number of COVID-19 positive swab cases. Changes in pathways and wards configurations led to some patients requiring multiple transfers. This can cause difficulties in coordinated, multidisciplinary care for patients with NOF Fractures.


2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lloyd David Hughes ◽  
Gavin Love

ABSTRACT Although many patients presenting with hip fractures have classic symptoms, other patients may present atypically with referred knee pain and reasonably unremarkable clinical examination following initial presentation. Older patients commonly have comorbid conditions such as arthritis, stroke and dementia that can complicate history and examination, making the diagnosis of subtle fractures difficult. Multimorbidity represents an important diagnostic challenge to both primary and secondary care. This case study discusses a 90-year-old lady who was found to have an old right neck of femur fracture after attendance at an geriatric outpatient clinic for a discussion about anticoagulation, after GP referral.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Gill ◽  
J. Smith ◽  
R. Fox ◽  
T. J. S. Chesser

Aim. At present there is no data looking at modern multislice computerised tomography (CT) in the investigation of occult hip fracture. The aim of this study was to retrospectively compare the reports of patients sent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or CT with negative radiographs and a clinical suspicion of a fractured neck of femur.Methods. All patients presenting to the hospital with a clinical suspicion of a hip fracture but initial negative radiographs over a three-year period were included. Patients were either investigated with an MRI scan or CT scan. The presence of a fracture, the requirement for surgery, and any further requirement for imaging were recorded.Results. Over three years 92 patients were included of which 61 were referred for a CT and 31 for an MRI. Thirty-four patients were found to have a fracture. Of these, MRI picked up a fracture in 36% and CT in 38% of referrals.Discussion. Up to 10% of proximal femur fractures may be missed on initial radiographs. Current guidelines state patients should be offered MRI if hip fracture is suspected despite negative hip radiographs. Our findings show that modern multislice CT may be comparable with MRI for detecting occult fracture.


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