Effect of Covid-19 on best practice care of hip fracture patients: An analysis from the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD)

Delirium detection tools show varying completion rates and positive score rates when used at scale in routine practice in general hospital settings: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Multiple short delirium detection tools have been validated in research studies and implemented in routine care, but there has been little study of these tools in real-world conditions. This systematic review synthesized literature reporting completion rates and/or delirium positive score rates of detection tools in large clinical populations in general hospital settings.

METHODS

PROSPERO (CRD42022385166). Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and gray literature were searched from 1980 to December 31, 2022. Included studies or audit reports used a validated delirium detection tool performed directly with the patient as part of routine care in large clinical populations (n ≥ 1000) within a general acute hospital setting. Narrative synthesis was performed.

RESULTS

Twenty-two research studies and four audit reports were included. Tools used alone or in combination were the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), 4 'A's Test (4AT), Delirium Observation Screening Scale (DOSS), Brief CAM (bCAM), Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (NuDESC), and Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist (ICDSC). Populations and settings varied and tools were used at different stages and frequencies in the patient journey, including on admission only; inpatient, daily or more frequently; on admission and as inpatient; inpatient post-operatively. Tool completion rates ranged from 19% to 100%. Admission positive score rates ranged from: CAM 8%-51%; 4AT 13%-20%. Inpatient positive score rates ranged from: CAM 2%-20%, DOSS 6%-42%, and NuDESC 5-13%. Postoperative positive score rates were 21% and 28% (4AT). All but two studies had moderate-high risk of bias.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review of delirium detection tool implementation in large acute patient populations found clinically important variability in tool completion rates, and in delirium positive score rates relative to expected delirium prevalence. This study highlights a need for greater reporting and analysis of relevant healthcare systems data. This is vital to advance understanding of effective delirium detection in routine care.

Physiologically engineered porous titanium/brushite scaffolds for critical-size bone defects: A design and manufacturing study

Repairing critical-size bone defects still represents a critical clinical challenge in the field of trauma surgery. This study focuses on a physiological design and manufacturing of porous composite scaffold (titanium Ti with 10 % mole iron doped brushite DCPD-Fe3+) which can mimic the biomechanical properties of natural cortical bone, specifically for the purpose of repairing critical-size defects. To achieve this, the principle of design of experiments (DOE) was applied for investigating the impact of sintering temperature, mineral ratio, and volume fraction of porosity on the mechanical properties of the fabricated scaffolds. The fabricated scaffolds had open porosity up to 60 %, with pore size approximately between 100 μm and 850 μm. The stiffness of the porous composite scaffolds varied between 3.30 GPa and 20.50 GPa, while the compressive strength ranged from approximately 130 MPa-165 MPa at sintering temperatures equal to or exceeding 1000 °C. Scaffolds with higher porosity and mineral content demonstrated lower stiffness values, resembling natural bone. Numerical simulation was employed by Ansys Workbench to investigate the stress and strain distribution of a critical size defect in mid-shaft femur which was designed to be replaced with the fabricated scaffold. The fabricated scaffolds showed flexible biomechanical behaviour at the bone/scaffold interface, generating lower stress levels and indicating a better match with the femoral shaft stiffness. The experimental and numerical findings demonstrated promising applications for manufacturing a patient-specific bone scaffold for critical and potentially large defects for reducing stress shielding and minimizing non-union risk.

Zoledronic Acid Does Not Retard Bone Union: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Fragility Intertrochanteric Femur Fractures

BACKGROUND

Fragility hip fracture is a leading cause of death in the elderly and is common in postmenopausal women and elderly people. In the treatment of osteoporosis, bisphosphonates (BPs) are often considered first-line medications. Zoledronic acid is the most potent and long-acting BP in clinical use and is administered as an intravenous infusion. In the context of acute fractures, the use of BPs has been controversial due to conflicting reports of their positive and negative effects on fracture healing. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of zoledronic acid on fracture healing in intertrochanteric (IT) fragility fractures.

METHODS

The study was conducted in a tertiary healthcare center after receiving scientific and ethical approval. The study included 136 patients of either gender over the age of 50 who presented with an IT femur fracture after minor trauma between November 2020 and November 2022. The total number of patients had been classified into two groups, and grouping involved random sampling: Group T (test group, n = 68; zoledronic acid injections were given on postoperative day 3) and Group C (control group, n = 68; interventions were given after fracture healing). Patients were evaluated using the Radiographic Union Score for Hip (RUSH) and Singh Index for radiological outcomes and the Harris Hip Score (HHS) for functional outcomes. The patients were followed for six months.

RESULTS

The overall mean age was 73.25 years; in Group T, it was 72.5 ± 11.9 years, and in Group C, it was 73.7 ± 11.8 years. Of 136 patients, 69 (51%) were males and 67 (49%) were females. The average fracture healing time in Group T was 12.2 ± 3.6 weeks, while it was 13.0 ± 2.8 weeks in Group C. Functional outcomes, including HHS, were found to be better in Group T than in Group C (p < 0.005). No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to the radiological union, the RUSH score, or Singh Index, implying no negative effect of zoledronic acid.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that postoperative intravenous zoledronic acid therapy does not retard fracture healing. Osteoporosis management is frequently neglected because of a surgeon's fear of ZOL retarding fracture healing and a lack of awareness among patients, resulting in low compliance. Thus, opportunistic administration of zoledronic acid postoperatively can be beneficial and will increase compliance for osteoporosis management and fracture prevention to 100%.

Changes in trends of orthopedic services due to the COVID-19 pandemic: A review

As of June 10, 2022, the World Health Organization has recorded over 532 million documented coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [(Coronavirus) SARS-CoV-2] cases and almost 6.3 million deaths worldwide, which has caused strain on medical specialties globally. The aim of this review is to explore the impact that COVID-19 has had on orthopedic practices. Providers observed a rapid decline in the number of orthopedic patients’ admissions due to cancellation of elective procedures; however, emergent cases still required treatment. Various observational studies, case reports, and clinical trials were collected through a PubMed database search. Additional sources were found through Google. The search was refined to publications in English and between the years of 2019 and 2021. The keywords used were “COVID-19” and/or “Orthopedic Injuries”. Thirty-seven studies were retained. The pandemic brought on significant changes to the mechanism of injury, number of admissions, type of injuries, and patient outcomes. Mortality rates significantly increased particularly amongst patients with hip fractures and COVID-19. Road traffic injuries remained a common cause of injury and domestic injuries became more prevalent with lockdown. Social isolation negatively affected mental health resulting in several orthopedic injuries. Telehealth services and separation for COVID-positive and COVID-negative patients benefited both patients and providers. While hospitals and medical facilities are still facing COVID-19 case surges, it is important to understand how this pandemic has impacted preparation, care, and opportunities for prevention education and ongoing care.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Neck of the Femur and Hip Fracture Surgery Volumes in the Lazio Region

This study compares surgery volumes for fractures of the neck of the femur (FNF) and hip replacements during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with previous years. Historical (2018–2019) and pandemic (2020–2021) surgery rates for FNF and hip replacement in Lazio, adjusted for age and gender, were calculated per period and compared with a Poisson regression model. For hip replacement surgery, a comparison of different types of hospitals was also made. Before COVID-19’s spread, no difference was found in the volume of surgery of both interventions. From the lockdown to the end of 2021, a decrease in surgery volumes for FNF with stabilization between summer 2020 and summer 2021, as well as an additional decline beginning at the start of Omicron’s spread, were found. Hip replacement surgeries showed a greater decline during the lockdown period and increased during summer 2020 and during the Delta wave period. The increment in hip replacements, mainly observed in 2021, is due to private and religious hospitals. These results highlight that the pandemic emergency, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has had an important indirect effect on the population’s health assistance in the field of orthopedics.

Impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture care in Ireland: findings from the Irish Hip Fracture Database

Aim

To identify the impact of COVID-19 on case-mix, care standards and outcomes of hip fracture patients in Ireland for the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

There was a 15% reduction in admissions per month during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a reduction in compliance with many of the Irish Hip Fracture Standards following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Message

Every attempt should be made to preserve the multidisciplinary team involved in the care pathway for hip fracture patients throughout any subsequent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose

To describe the impact of COVID-19 on hip fracture care during the first 6 months of the pandemic.

Methods

A secondary analysis of 4385 cases in the Irish Hip Fracture Database from 1st June 2019 to 31st August 2020 was conducted.

Results

Hip fracture admissions decreased by 15% during the study period (p < 0.001). Patient characteristics were largely unchanged as the majority of cases occurred in females over 80 years admitted from home. Adherence to many of the Irish Hip Fracture Standards (IHFS) changed following the COVID-19 pandemic. There was an increase in patients admitted to an orthopaedic ward from Emergency Department (ED) within 4 h from 27 to 36% (p < 0.001). However, the proportion of patients reviewed by a geriatrician reduced from 85% pre-COVID to 80% (p < 0.001). Fewer patients received a bone health assessment [90% from 95% (p < 0.001)] and specialist falls assessment [(82% from 88% (p < 0.001)]. No change was seen in time to surgery or incidence of pressure injuries. There was a significant decrease in length of stay from 18 to 14 days (p < 0.001). There was an increase in patients discharged home during the COVID-19 period and a decrease in patients discharged to rehabilitation, convalescence or nursing home care. There was no statistically significant change in mortality.

Conclusion

Healthcare services were widely restructured during the pandemic, which had implications for hip fracture patients. There was a notable change in compliance with the IHFS. Multidisciplinary teams involved in hip fracture care should be preserved throughout any subsequent waves of the pandemic.