Improved outcomes following implementation of a multidisciplinary care pathway for elderly hip fractures

Hip fractures in patients 65 years and older are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. With the steady increase in the elderly population, we implemented an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the management of hip fractures to optimize patient care and surgical outcomes. To evaluate the effects of a multidisciplinary hip fracture care pathway on patient outcomes in the care of elderly patients. A retrospective analysis of the differences in outcomes prior to (January–October 2014) and after (November 2014–April 2016) implementation of a hip fracture care pathway at a regional Level I trauma center was performed. There were 80 patients in the pre-pathway group and 191 patients in the post-pathway group with an average age of 83.18 ± 8.24 years. The analysis demonstrated that the post-pathway group had a lower incidence of in-hospital complications (9.95 vs 30.00%; p ≤ 0.001), shorter emergency room length of stay (3.76 ± 2.43 vs 6.78 ± 2.88 h; p ≤ 0.0001), and shorter overall hospital length of stay (5.03 ± 3.46 vs 7.44 ± 6.66 days; p = 0.0028). The in-hospital mortality rate was similar between groups (4.71 vs 6.25%; p = 0.6018). The development of a multidisciplinary approach to the care of elderly patients with hip fractures improved morbidity and showed a downward trend in mortality. Elderly patients with hip fractures treated at our trauma center had improved clinical outcomes after the implementation of a multidisciplinary care pathway.