National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD): 15 years of quality improvement (14 September 2023)

Summary

This state-of-the-nation report from the National Hip Fracture Database (NHFD) focuses on the period from 1 January to 31 December 2022. It shows that the number of people who died in the month following a hip fracture now stands at 6.2%; down from 10.9% in 2007, when the NHFD was set up. However, the report also finds that it took longer for patients to reach a ward where a hip fracture team can work together (where there is the best chance of recovery) in 2022. It also states that fewer patients received prompt surgery to repair their broken hip by the day after they presented to hospital. There was an improvement in how many people with hip fracture received bone strengthening medicines to avoid future fractures in 2022, but some hospitals continue to report that none of their patients receive such treatment.

Content

The report calls for hospitals to improve how they move patients to the right ward, operate and get patients out of bed promptly, recommending that hip fracture teams:

• review the care provided in the Emergency Department (ED), so that patients are seen promptly, offered pain relief, and admitted to an appropriate specialist ward within four hours.
• use the NHFD website to see why surgery is delayed, and work together so that this happens by the day after patients present with a hip fracture.
• use the NHFD website to see what more can be done to avoid patients becoming confused in hospital and to ensure that they are well enough to get out of bed on the day after their operation.