@article{ref1,
title="Dedicated orthogeriatric service reduces hip fracture mortality",
journal="Irish journal of medical science",
year="2016",
author="Henderson, C. Y. and Shanahan, E. and Butler, A. and Lenehan, B. and O'Connor, M. and Lyons, D. and Ryan, J. P.",
volume="186",
number="1",
pages="179-184",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Hip fracture is a common serious injury afflicting the geriatric population and is associated with poor clinical outcomes, functional and walking disabilities and high 1-year mortality rates. A multidisciplinary approach has been shown to improve outcomes of geriatric patients with fragility fracture. AIMS: We piloted a dedicated orthogeriatric service for hip fracture patients to determine if the service facilitated a change in major patient outcomes, such as mortality, length of stay and dependency. <br><br>METHODS: A dedicated orthogeriatrics service for hip fracture was established as a collaborative project between the Department of Geriatric Medicine and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at a university teaching hospital. Orthogeriatrics service data were collected prospectively on an orthogeriatric filemaker database from July 2011 to July 2012 (N = 206). Data were compared to previously recorded data (Irish Hip Fracture Database) on a cohort of hip fracture patients admitted to the same orthopaedic trauma unit from July 2009 to July 2010 (N = 248). <br><br>RESULTS: Patients in the orthogeriatric service group experienced significant reductions in 1-year mortality (χ(2) = 13.34, P < 0.001), length of acute hospital stay (U = -3.77, P < 0.001) and requirements for further rehabilitation (χ (2) = 26.59, P < 0.001). Patients in the pre-service establishment group were significantly more dependent following their fracture than the patients in the orthogeriatric service group (χ (2) = 5.34, P = 0.021). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary management approach to fragility fracture of the femoral neck that involves comprehensive geriatric assessment, daily medical involvement of a geriatric team and specialised follow-up assessment leads to a significant reduction in mortality and improved outcomes.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0021-1265",
doi="10.1007/s11845-016-1453-3",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11845-016-1453-3"
}