Admission delay is associated with worse surgical outcomes for elderly hip fracture patients: A retrospective observational study

Benchmarking institutional geriatric hip fracture management: a prelude to a care quality improvement initiative

BACKGROUND

Fractures around the hip in older adults have increased in the last two decades, and the numbers are projected to rise over the next 30 years with estimates that half of them will occur in Asia. Proximal hip fractures should be operated within 48 h of injury to prevent poor outcomes. This study aims to benchmark current hip fracture care using quality improvement tools of care structure, care processes, and outcomes in a tertiary care hospital in Eastern India and determine the evidence-practice gaps and barriers to implementing the six best practices that reduce mortality and morbidity in fragility hip fractures.

METHODS

A total of 101 consecutive patients above 50 years of age with proximal femoral fractures after a trivial fall were included. Patients were divided into two groups: those operated within [Group A] and beyond [Group B] 72 h of admission. Care structure assessment included delays in admission, delay in surgery, and anesthesia risk grading. Care processes included the type of surgery performed and postoperative complications. The primary outcomes were the 30-day and 1-year mortality and the secondary outcomes included the length of stay, mobility at 6 months, return to pre-fracture independence, activity limitations, pressure sores, and readmission to the hospital.

RESULTS

Group A comprised 26 individuals, and the remaining 75 were in Group B. There were two deaths in Group A as compared to one death in Group B at 30 days; however, there were no new deaths at 1 year in Group A and 14 deaths in Group B (p = 0.187). Group B had lengthier hospital stays, poorer mobility, and higher physical and mental difficulties. No patients had re-operation on the initial fracture.

CONCLUSION

This study emphasizes the importance of early admission and fast provision of surgical fixation to reduce mortality and morbidity. Benchmarking institutional practices allows for defining the evidence-practice gaps and barriers to best practice implementation. This is an essential step to begin care quality improvement for geriatric patients with proximal femur fragility fractures.

Delayed surgery and health related quality of life in patients with proximal femoral fracture

This study aimed to establish factors associated with delayed surgery in patients with proximal femoral fracture and to assess patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after surgery including all-cause 6-months mortality. This was a single-center, observational, prospective cohort study that included patients with a proximal femur fracture. We described patients' HRQoL measured by EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L and EQ-VAS) questionnaire and perioperative complications (including mortality) 6 months after surgery. We included 163 patients with a mean age of 80.5 years, the majority were women and 76.1% reported falling from their own height. The mean time between hospital admission and surgery was 8.3 days (SD 4.9 days) and the mean hospital stay was 13.5 days (SD 10.4 days). After adjustment, the principal factor associated with delayed surgery was adjournment in surgery authorization (3.7 days). EQ-5D-5L index values and the VAS score at 1 month after surgery were 0.489 and 61.1, at 3 months were 0.613 and 65.8, and at 6 months 0.662 and 66.7 respectively. Mortality at 6 months of follow-up was 11% (18 patients). In conclusion, administrative authorization was the strongest associated factor with delayed time from hospital admission to surgery. HRQoL of patients with a proximal femoral fracture improved 6 months after surgery.Trial registration: NCT04217642.

Association between weather and hip fracture in adults: a nationwide study in China 198 cities

Hip fractures represent a significant public health issue due to high incidence in aging society. Our study further proved that increased risk for hip fractures in adults is associated with weather conditions.

PURPOSE

Hip fractures represent a significant public health issue due to high incidence in aging society. Evidence of the short-term effects of weather on the risk of hip fracture is limited and inconsistent. We aimed to examine the associations between weather conditions and daily hospital admissions for hip fracture in adults in China.

METHODS

A national time-series analysis between 2014 and 2017 was conducted. Data on daily hospital admissions for hip fracture were obtained from the database of Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) and Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI). Weather conditions were acquired from the China Meteorological Data Sharing Service Center. Based on a time-stratified case-crossover design, conditional Poisson regression was used to estimate the impact on relative risk (RR) of weather conditions on hospital admissions for hip fracture.

RESULTS

During the study period, a total of 137,504 hospital admissions for hip fractures were identified. All analyzed weather conditions showed consistent significant associations at lag 0 day for each 10 mm increase in precipitation, 10 m/s in wind speed, and 10°C in temperature, with the RR value being 1.079 (95% CI, 1.074-1.083) for precipitation, 1.404 (95% CI, 1.346-1.465) for wind speed, and 1.558 (95% CI, 1.546-1.570) for temperature. Women were more vulnerable to be affected by precipitation and temperature.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, increased risk for hip fractures in adults is associated with weather conditions. The improved understanding of the relationship between weather conditions and hip fractures hospital admission can be useful for resource allocation and provider preparedness.

Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for delayed discharge in elderly patients with hip fracture

BACKGROUND

Because of their poor physical state, elderly hip fracture patients commonly require prolonged hospitalization, resulting in a drop in bed circulation rate and an increased financial burden. There are currently few predictive models for delayed hospital discharge for hip fractures. This research aimed to develop the optimal model for delayed hospital discharge for hip fractures in order to support clinical decision-making.

METHODS

This case-control research consisted of 1259 patients who were continuously hospitalized in the orthopedic unit of an acute hospital in Tianjin due to a fragility hip fracture between January and December 2021. Delayed discharge was defined as a hospital stay of more than 11 days. The prediction model was constructed through the use of a Cox proportional hazards regression model. Furthermore, the constructed prediction model was transformed into a nomogram. The model's performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curves and decision curve analysis (DCA). the STROBE checklist was used as the reporting guideline.

RESULTS

The risk prediction model developed contained the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), preoperative waiting time, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and lower limbs arteriosclerosis. The AUC for the risk of delayed discharge was in the training set was 0.820 (95% CI,0.79 ~ 0.85) and 0.817 in the testing sets. The calibration revealed that the forecasted cumulative risk and observed probability of delayed discharge were quite similar. Using the risk prediction model, a higher net benefit was observed than when considered all patients were at high risk, demonstrating good clinical usefulness.

CONCLUSION

Our prediction models could support policymakers in developing strategies for the optimal management of hip fracture patients, with a particular emphasis on individuals at high risk of prolonged LOS.

Risk factors for postoperative medical morbidity and 3-month mortality in elderly patients with hip fracture following hip arthroplasty during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the incidence of postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality in patients  ≥ 70 years old with hip fracture following hip arthroplasty (HA) and independent risk factors associated with postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective study was conducted, patients  ≥ 70 years old with HA for hip fracture under general anesthesia were included during COVID-19 and before COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome was defined as postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality. The baseline characteristics and risk factors were collected, multivariable logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative medical complications and 3-month mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 1096 patients were included during COVID-19 pandemic and 1149 were included before COVID-19 pandemic in the study. Patients  ≥ 70 years with hip fracture for HA had longer fracture to operation duration (7.10 ± 3.52 vs. 5.31 ± 1.29, P < 0.001), and the incidence of postoperative medical complications (21.90% vs. 12.53%, P < 0.001) and 3-month mortality (5.20% vs. 3.22%, P = 0.025) was higher during COVID-2019 pandemic. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that dementia (OR 2.73; 95% CI 1.37-5.44; P = 0.004), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.92-4.71; P < 0.001), longer fracture to operation duration (OR 1.24; 95% CI 1.19-1.30; P < 0.001) were associated with increased risk for postoperative medical complications. COPD (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.05-4.17; P = 0.035), dementia (OR 3.00; 95% CI 1.11-7.94; P = 0.031), postoperative medical complications (OR 4.99; 95% CI 2.68-9.28; P < 0.001), longer fracture to operation duration (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.04-1.19; P = 0.002) were associated with increased risk for 3-month mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we found that postoperative medical morbidity and 3-month mortality in patients with hip fracture underwent HA were 21.90% and 5.20%, respectively, during the COVID-19. COPD, dementia and longer fracture to operation duration were associated with negative outcome in patients with hip fracture underwent HA during the COVID-19.

Effect of integrated management bundle on 1-year overall survival outcomes and perioperative outcomes in super elderly patients aged 90 and over with hip fracture: non-concurrent cohort study

BACKGROUND

Due to concomitant factors like frailty and comorbidity, super elderly (≥90 years) patients with hip fracture differ from patients aged 65-89 years in perioperative complications and mortality. The integrated management bundle referred to bundled application of multiple clinical measures. The aim of this study was to analyze effect of integrated management bundle on 1-year overall survival and perioperative outcomes in super elderly patients with hip fracture, with multidisciplinary management group serving as the control group.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, super elderly patients with hip fracture were included from Jan 2017 to Nov 2020. Patients were retrospectively divided to multidisciplinary management group and integrated management bundle group. The primary outcome was 1- year overall survival, and the secondary outcome was perioperative outcomes. Kaplan-Meier methods was used to compare survival probability. Multivariable Cox's modeling was used to explain the effect of integrated bundle on 1-year overall survival adjusted for confounders. The perioperative outcomes including complications and in-hospital data of two groups were compared. The multivariable logistic regression was used to explain the effect of integrated bundle on the occurrence of perioperative complications adjusted for confounders. Prognostic factors related to survival was identified by multivariable Cox's regression analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven patients comprised multidisciplinary management group, and 83 comprised integrated management bundle group. The Kaplan-Meier plots showed that the survival probability of integrated management bundle group was significantly better than multidisciplinary management group (HR:0.435, 95%CI:0.207-0.914, P = 0.039). Multivariable analysis after adjustment for confounders showed a 42.8% lower incidence of mortality integrated management bundle group than multidisciplinary management group (HR:0.428, 95%CI:0.186-0.986, P = 0.046). Incidence of hypoproteinemia, and electrolyte disturbance in integrated management bundle group was significantly lower than multidisciplinary management group (all P < 0.05). In addition, significant reduction was observed in length of stay (P < 0.05) in integrated management bundle group. Multivariable logistic regression showed integrated management bundle was independent protective factor of hypoproteinemia, and electrolyte disturbance. mECM score ≥ 6 and ASA score > 2 were independent risk factors of overall survival (HR: 1.940, 95%CI: 1.067-3.525,P = 0.030; HR: 2.281, 95%CI: 1.113-4.678,P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

The integrated management bundle improved 1-year overall survival and played positive effects in improving perioperative outcomes. It might be a more suitable management modality for super elderly patients with hip fracture.

Access to surgical care in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional retrospective data review

BACKGROUND

Access to emergency and essential surgical care is still unmet and accessibility is disproportionately inequitable in Ethiopia and other low-and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess surgical care access in terms of capability, capacity, and timeliness of care in different levels of health care in Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with retrospective data review was conducted in 172 health facilities from December 30, 2020 to June 10, 2021. Descriptive statistics such as median with interquartile range and proportion were computed using STATA Version 15 statistical software.

RESULTS

Within a 90-day interval of the study period, 69,717 major and minor surgeries, and 33,052 bellwether procedures were performed, and major surgeries accounted for 58% of the surgeries. About 1.6%, 23.56%, 25.34%, and 32.2% of both major and minor, and 3.1%, 12.8%, 27.6%, and 45.3% of bellwether procedures were performed in health center OR blocks, primary, general, and specialized hospitals, respectively. Private hospitals performed 17.33% of major and minor and 11.2% of bellwether procedures for the period. The average pre-admission waiting time for surgical patients in primary, general, and specialized hospitals was 9.68, 37.6, and 35.9 days, respectively, whereas, in private hospitals, the average pre-admission waiting time was 1.42 days. On average, surgical patients traveled 5 Hrs, 11 Hrs, 28.4 Hrs, and 21.3 Hrs to access surgical services in primary, general, specialized, and private hospitals, respectively. The surgical workforce to the population served ratio was 7.5, 1.15, and 1.31/100.000 population in primary, specialized and general hospitals, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Most surgical procedures were performed in specialized hospitals, indicating that there is a burden in these health facilities. The pre-admission waiting time for surgical patients was long in higher-level public hospitals. Surgical patients traveled a long distance to access surgical service in higher level hospitals. The ratio of surgical workforce per 100,000 population served was low in all levels of public health facilities in general, and in higher level hospitals in particular. Efforts should therefore be made to strengthen all levels of the health system and improve surgical care access in terms of capacity, capability, and timeliness in the country.

Systemic immune-inflammation index independently predicts poor survival of older adults with hip fracture: a prospective cohort study

Background

The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), based on peripheral platelet, neutrophil and lymphocyte counts, has been proven to be a promising prognostic indicator in various diseases. Hip fracture is a common injury among the older adults, and has become a global public health problem with high mortality and disability rates. However, the relationship between SII and the prognosis of hip fracture is not yet well-known. The aim of the this study was to explore the predictive value of SII in older adults with hip fracture undergoing surgery.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study performed from January 2014 to December 2018 at a orthopaedic center, China. The SII was calculated as platelet×neutrophil/lymphocyte counts. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between SII and all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 290 older adults with hip fracture were included, and the mean (SD) age was 77.6 (8.6) years, and 189 (65.2%) were female. The median (IQR) SII was 759.4 (519.0–1128.7) × 10⁹/L. After a median follow-up time of 33.4 months, 13 (4.5%), 26 (9.0%) and 54 (18.6%) patients died within the 30-day, 1-year and last follow-up, respectively. Multivariable Cox analysis revealed that each increase of 100 units of SII was associated with a 8% increased hazard of death at 1-year follow-up (HR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01–1.17, p = 0.033), and 9% increased hazard of death at last follow-up (HR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03–1.15, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

SII is associated with poor all-cause mortality in older adults with hip fracture undergoing surgery, and deserves further investigation and application in clinical practice.

The Relationship between Pre-Admission Waiting Time and the Surgical Outcomes after Hip Fracture Operation in the Elderly

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between pre-admission waiting time and postoperative complications, length of stay (LOS), and costs during hospitalization.

METHOD

This was a single-center, observational study. The subjects of this study were elderly hip fracture patients who were admitted to the Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from December 2010 to June 14, 2017, and that underwent internal fixation or joint replacement surgery. The pre-admission waiting time was treated as a categorical variable according to median and first quartile values. Outcomes included postoperative complications (pneumonia and other complications [urinary tract infection, heart failure, non-A-grade healing]), LOS, and costs during hospitalization. LOS and costs during hospitalization were converted into binary outcomes based upon median values. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to analyze correlations between pre-admission waiting time and patient outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 889 patients 60 years of age and older were enrolled in this study, of whom 65.47% were females and 34.53% were males. The proportion of patients with pre-admission waiting times less than 8 h, 8 - 24 h, and ≥ 24 h were 24.3%, 17.32%, and 58.38%, respectively. Postoperative pneumonia and other complications affected 12.04% and 6.30% of patients, respectively. Relative to patients with the pre-admission waiting times of less than 8 h, those with longer pre-admission waiting times exhibited a higher risk of postoperative pneumonia (8 - 24 h: OR = 2.72,95% CI: 1.29-5.74, p = 0.009; ≥ 24 h: OR = 2.76,95% CI: 1.48-5.14, p = 0.001). Patients with the pre-admission waiting time ≥ 24 h also exhibited a higher risk of the other complications (OR = 2.55, 95% CI: 1.53-4.26, p <0.001), a longer LOS (OR = 1.43, 95% CI:1.02-2.01, p = 0.036), and higher costs during hospitalization (OR = 1.51, 95% CI:1.05 - 2.17, p = 0.026) relative to patients with a waiting time less than 8 hours.

CONCLUSION

Pre-admission waiting time was associated with postoperative complications, LOS, and hospitalization costs among older Chinese patients undergoing surgery to treat hip fractures.

A Nomogram for Prediction of Postoperative Pneumonia Risk in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients

Purpose

Pneumonia is one of the common complications of hip fracture. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors and apply a nomogram to predict postoperative pneumonia in elderly hip fracture patients.

Materials and Methods

From August 2014 to October 2019, 1113 hip fracture patients who were older than 65 years and underwent surgical treatment in our hospital were subjects of this study. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to identify independent risk factors. A predictive nomogram model was built, and the discrimination and calibration were determined by receiver operating characteristic and calibration plot.

Results

A total of 166 patients developed pneumonia after operation (14.91%, pneumonia group) while the remaining 947 patients did not (85.09%, non-pneumonia group). According to the results, body mass index (OR, 0.76, 95% CI, 0.70 to 0.84, P<0.001), serum albumin (OR, 0.86, 95% CI, 0.79 to 0.93, P<0.001), c-reactive protein (OR, 1.01, 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.92, P=0.011), functional status (OR, 2.94, 95% CI, 1.69 to 5.10, P<0.001) and time to surgery (OR, 4.56, 95% CI, 2.64 to 7.88, P<0.001) were identified as independent risk factors of pneumonia. The area under the curve value for postoperative pneumonia risk was 0.905, and the P-value of the Hosmer-Lemeshow calibration test was 0.529.

Conclusion

Our nomogram model can be used to predict the risk of pneumonia in elderly hip fractures after surgery and provide clinicians with guidance for better perioperative intervention to improve prognosis and reduce mortality.