A Royal College of Physicians programme that has contributed to improving post-operative care of elderly people who suffer a hip fracture is celebrating its 10-year anniversary.
The National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) has collected data continuously on all patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland aged 60 and over with a hip fracture since 2007. During this time more than half a million patient records have been submitted, enabling comprehensive monitoring of patient care from admission to hospital through to post-discharge follow-up.
Reporting on NHFD data has contributed to major improvements in patient treatment and care, including*:
- The number of hospitals participating in the NHFD has increased from 11 in 2007 to 177 in 2017.
- The rate of early surgery has increased from 54.5% in 2007 to 71.5% in 2011.
- A reduction in 30-day mortality after hip fracture – from 10.9% in 2007 to 7.1% in 2016.
- An increase in the number of patients receiving bone-strengthening medication – from 66% in 2011 to 80% today.
To celebrate the 10-year anniversary, the NHFD programme is holding a stakeholder event at the British Medical Association on Tuesday 21 March. The day will focus on sharing learning from the data and the successful work of medical teams in improving patient care.
NHFD clinical leads Mr Rob Wakeman and Dr Antony Johansen will be speaking at the event, alongside Professor Chris Moran, the national clinical director for trauma at NHS England.
Mr Rob Wakeman, NHFD clinical lead, orthopaedic surgery, said:
Since its inception in 2007, the NHFD has overseen major innovations in collaborative working between orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians in hospitals. These advances have enormously improved the outcomes for older patients with hip fracture injury.
Despite improvements, this devastating and often life-changing injury still remains a major challenge. We now have a very clear idea of what good hospital care looks like for hip fracture patients but good community and post-discharge physiotherapy support is also vital to optimise recovery. It is also the best way of minimising extra pressure on social care resources that can result from reduced independence when an older person suffers a hip fracture in a fall.
For more information about the programme, including audit reports, visit the NHFD website.
* Data sourced from the NHFD audit reports 2007–16