Improving hip fracture care in Spain: evolution of quality indicators in the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry.

This study was carried out to analyze the evolution of the quality indicators in the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry, after disseminating a series of recommendations based on available clinical practice guidelines to the participating hospitals. Six of the seven proposed quality indicators showed a significant improvement. PURPOSE: The Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (RNFC) arises from the need to know the process and improve the quality of care. Our goal was to analyze the changes in the RNFC's quality indicators after an intervention based on disseminating specific recommendations among the participating hospitals, following available clinical practice guidelines. METHODS: Study comparing before and after performing an intervention in hospitals participating in the RNFC. Data from the hospitals that registered cases in 2017, and that kept registering cases in 2019. Seven quality indicators were chosen, and a standard to be achieved for each indicator was proposed. The intervention consisted in the dissemination of 25 recommendations with practical measures to improve each quality indicator, based on available clinical practice guidelines, by drafting and publishing a scientific paper and sending it via email and printed cards. Fulfilment of each quality indicator was measured after carrying out the intervention. RESULTS: Forty-three hospitals registered 2674 cases between January and May, 2017, and 8037 during 2019. The quality indicators chosen and the degree of compliance were (all with p<0.05): (1) surgery ≤48 h increased from 38.9 to 45.8%; (2) patients mobilised on the first postoperative day increased from 58.9 to 70.3%; (3) patients with anti-osteoporotic medication at discharge increased from 34.5 to 49.8%; (4) patients with calcium supplements at discharge increased from 48.7 to 62.8%; (5) patients with vitamin D supplements at discharge increased from 71.5 to 84.7%; (6) patients developing a grade >2 pressure ulcer during admission decreased from 6.5 to 5.0%; (7) patients able to move on their own at 1 month fell from 58.8 to 56.4%. More than 48% of hospitals improved the proposed indicators. CONCLUSION: Establishing quality indicators and standards and intervening through the dissemination of specific recommendations to improve these indicators achieved an improvement in hospital performance results on a national level.

Prehabilitation and perioperative geriatric care in patients aged over 80 years with colorectal cancer: Results of a cross-speciality geriatrics program.

OBJECTIVES: To describe a perioperative cross-speciality geriatrics program for patients aged >80 years with colorectal cancer (CRC), aimed to detect and manage frailty and to understand its influence on clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged >80 years with CRC and proposed for surgery were included from October 2018 to March 2020. Comprehensive geriatric assessments (CGA) were performed. Patients were classified according to the estimated physiological reserve, from fit, frail patients and even the disabled: CGA-1, CGA-2, CGA-3, and CGA-4. Individualised treatment was adapted to each patient's situation. Patients who underwent surgery were followed up by a geriatrician. The presence of complications, length of stay, hospital readmissions at 30 days, and short- and long-term mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were included. The mean age was 84.5 ± 4.5 years. 55.4% patients were classified as CGA-1, 24.3% as CGA-2, 16.2% as CGA-3, and 4.1% as CGA-4. No CGA-4 patient was operated on. Frail (CGA-2 and CGA-3) patients had higher medical complications (50% vs 21.2%, p < 0.05) and delirium (30% vs 9.1%, p < 0.05) than fit patients (CGA-1). They also had higher rates of surgical complications (20% vs 15.2%), longer hospital stay (10 ± 6.2 vs 8.4 ± 4.2 days), 30-day readmissions (15% vs 6.3%), and mortality at six (10% vs 3%) and twelve months (20% vs 6.1%), although it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: CGA and prehabilitation can classify patients according to their frailty status, support clinicians in decision-making to achieve tailored treatment, and detect clinical conditions for intervention in multiple domains of health in the perioperative period.

[Evolution of COVID-19 at nursing homes from the second wave to vaccination. Description of a coordination program between Primary Care, Geriatrics and Public Health.] / Evolución de la COVID-19 en las residencias de personas mayores desde la segunda ola hasta la vacunación. Descripción de un programa de coordinación entre Atención Primaria, Geriatría y Salud Pública.

OBJECTIVE: Nursing homes have suffered in a particularly pronounced way from the effects of COVID-19 so it is very convenient to know the evolution in them of the disease and the impact of SARS-CoV2 vaccination The objective of this study was to analyze COVID-19 pandemic evolution from the start of the second wave to the end of the vaccination campaign at the nursing homes. A coordination program between Primary Care and Geriatrics and Public Health services was activated. METHODS: 2,668 seniors were followed at 39 nursing homes. Data from new cases, active cases, mortality and place of treatment of COVID-19 were collected. A descriptive analysis was performed with the measurement of the absolute number of positive SARS-CoV-2 cases and the frequency distribution. RESULTS: Between August 7th 2020 and February 26th 2021, 30 outbreaks occurred at 21 nursing homes. 300 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (11% of total residents). The daily average of active cases was 27,166 were hospitalized (55%). 66 patients died (22% of those infected), 54 of them (78%) at the hospital. 1,984 PCR tests were performed. The temporary profile of new cases did not follow a distribution "in waves" as in the community. Thirty-seven days after the start of the second dose of vaccination, there were no active cases until March 1st, when new cases were under study for possible vaccine leakage. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of COVID-19 at nursing homes after the first wave of the pandemic has apparently been lower. The transmission in these centers has followed a different distribution than at community. Mass vaccination has achieved the practical disappearance of the disease.

OBJETIVO: Los centros residenciales han sufrido de una manera especialmente acusada los efectos de la COVID-19 por lo que es muy conveniente conocer la evolución en ellos de la enfermedad y el impacto de la vacunación frente al SARS-CoV2. El objetivo de este estudio fue conocer la evolución de la pandemia de COVID-19 desde el comienzo de la segunda ola hasta el final del proceso de vacunación en las residencias de personas mayores de un área sanitaria, en la cual se activó un programa de coordinación entre Atención Primaria y los servicios de Geriatría y Salud Publica. METODOS: Se siguió a 2.668 personas mayores en 39 residencias. Se recogieron datos de casos nuevos, activos, fallecidos y lugar de tratamiento de la COVID-19. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo con la medición del número absoluto de casos positivo de SARS-CoV-2 y la distribución de frecuencias. RESULTADOS: Entre el 7 de agosto de 2020 y el 26 de febrero de 2021 se produjeron 30 brotes en 21 residencias. Se detectaron 300 casos positivos de SARS-CoV-2 (11% de los residentes totales). La media diaria de casos activos fue 27. Fueron hospitalizados 166 (55%). Fallecieron 66 pacientes (22% de los infectados), 54 de ellos (78%) en el hospital. Se realizaron 1.984 test PCR. El perfil temporal de aparición de casos nuevos no siguió una distribución "en olas" como en la comunidad. Treinta y siete días después del inicio de la segunda dosis de vacunación, no existieron casos activos hasta el 1 de marzo en que aparecieron nuevos casos en estudio por posible escape vacunal. CONCLUSIONES: La incidencia de la COVID-19 en las residencias de personas mayores tras la primera ola de la pandemia es aparentemente inferior. La transmisión en estos centros sigue una distribución diferente a la de la comunidad. El efecto de la vacunación masiva consigue la práctica desaparición de la enfermedad.

First proposal of quality indicators and standards and recommendations to improve the healthcare in the Spanish National Registry of Hip Fracture.

BACKGROUND: The Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (or Registro Nacional de Fractura de Cadera, RNFC) is a database of hip fracture patients admitted to Spanish hospitals. Its goals include assessment and continuous improvement of the care process. OBJECTIVES: To (1) establish a series of indicators, (2) evaluate their initial fulfillment, (3) propose quality standards, (4) suggest recommendations to facilitate standards compliance, and (5) monitor the indicators. METHOD: The indicators fulfilled the criteria of (1) evaluating the process or outcome, (2) being clinically relevant for patients, (3) being modifiable through changes in healthcare practice, and (4) being considered important by the RNFC participants. The first quartile obtained by the group of hospitals in each of the respective variables was proposed as the standard. The Indicators Advisory Committee (IAC) elaborated a list of recommendations for each indicator, based on the available evidence. RESULTS: Seven indicators were chosen. These indicators (its baseline compliance vs. the standard to be reached, respectively) were: the proportion of patients receiving surgery within 48h (44% vs. 63%), mobilized the first postoperative day (56% vs. 86%), with antiosteoporotic medication at discharge (32% vs. 61%), with calcium supplements at discharge (46% vs. 77%), with vitamin D supplements at discharge (67% vs. 92%), who developed pressure ulcers during hospitalization (7.2% vs. 2.1%) and with independent mobility at 30 days (58% vs. 70%). The IAC has established 25 recommendations for improving care. CONCLUSION: The indicators and standards chosen are presented, as well as the list of recommendations. This process completes the first step to improve quality of care. The results will be evaluated 6 months after implementing the recommendations.

[Efficiency of the acute geriatric units compared to the rest of the hospital departments. A 5-year audit of the case-mix adjusted for diagnosis-related group]. / Eficiencia de las unidades de agudos de geriatría frente al resto de servicios hospitalarios. Análisis de la casuística de 5 años ajustada por GRD.

INTRODUCTION: Hospital occupancy rate by older patients is high, and it will be even higher in the future. Their hospital stay is usually longer, making it important for hospitals to develop structures with the best efficiency possible. METHOD: Hospital discharges of patients older than 75years with the 15 most frequent Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRG) in Geriatrics were recorded during a 5-year period in a 1,200-bed hospital. Length of stay was compared between the two acute geriatric units (AGU), one in the general hospital (GH) and another in an affiliate hospital (AH), as well as with the rest of departments. RESULTS: A total of 14,948 discharged patients were included. Length of stay was 2.9 (25%) days shorter in AGU units than in the rest of departments. Differences were 22% (9.2 vs 11.7days) in 2011, 16% (9.3 vs 11.1days) in 2012, 21% (9.3 vs 11.1days) in 2013, 34% (7.4 vs 11.1days) in 2014, and 25% (8.3 vs 11days) in 2015 in the GH. Differences were 18% (10.4 vs 12.7days) in 2011, 19% (9.5 vs 11.7days) in 2012, 25% (8.8 vs 11.7days) in 2013, 24% (8.8 vs 11.6days) in 2014, and 32% (9 vs 13.1days) in 2015 at the AH, all of them with a P<.05. CONCLUSIONS: AGU are 25% more efficient than the rest of hospital departments in managing hospital admissions of patients older than 75years.

[Multi-centre register study of hip fractures in Orthogeriatric Units in the Community of Madrid (Spain)]. / Registro de fracturas de cadera multicéntrico de unidades de Ortogeriatría de la Comunidad Autónoma de Madrid.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of patients with hip fractures admitted over a period of two years (from January 2015 to December 2016) in eight Orthogeriatric Units in public hospitals of the Community of Madrid. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a descriptive, prospective and multi-centre study. In 2014, all hospitals in Madrid providing joint Geriatric and Traumatology assistance were invited to a recently created orthogeriatric work group. Geriatricians in charge of the Orthogeriatric Unit from eight hospitals took part in this study. The participants established a database including all variables that influenced health outcomes (socio-demographic and clinical variables). RESULTS: The study includes 3,995 patients, with a mean age of 85.3years (range: 58-108years old). Two-thirds of them were ASA (American Society Physical Status Classification System) III-IV. Almost all (96.7%) of the patients underwent a surgical operation, and 35.9% of them were operated during the first 48hours. The delay was mainly due to logistic problems (43.5%). The mean hospital stay was 11.2days. Just over half (53.1%) of the patients required a blood transfusion. In-hospital mortality was 5.3%. DISCUSSION: Hip fracture registries are essential tools to monitor the healthcare process of these patients, as well as to improve the quality of care. Our results are similar to other records. It would be necessary to improve pre-operative time, which must be less than 48hours in patients without clinical instability. We also need more resources for functional recovery and more uniformity.

[Vitamin D deficiency in a cohort over 65 years: prevalence and association with sociodemographic and health factors]. / Déficit de vitamina D en una cohorte de mayores de 65 años: prevalencia y asociación con factores sociodemográficos y de salud.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D deficiency is common in the elderly, especially among institutionalized and/or hip fracture patients. However, there are few population studies on the prevalence of this deficiency in the general population over 64 years in our environment. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in an urban population cohort of over 64 years, and analyze its relationship with sociodemographic, climatic, and health factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study from «Peñagrande cohort¼, a population-based cohort consisting of people over 64 years. We determined 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, and recorded sociodemographic data (age, sex, marital status, education, socioeconomic status), season of measurement and health variables (comorbidity, obesity, malnutrition, renal failure, cognitive impairment, vitamin D supplements, and disability). RESULTS: A total of 468 individuals with a mean age of 76.0 years (SD: 7.7) were included, of which 53.4% were women. The mean value of vitamin D was 20.3 ± 11.7 ng/mL. The large majority (86.3%, 95% CI: 83.0-89.5) had a vitamin insufficiency (≤ 30 ng/ml), and 35.2% (95% CI: 30.8-39.7) showed severe vitamin deficiency (≤ 15 ng/ml). Vitamin insufficiency increases linearly with age (OR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.01-1.11), and was associated with low socioeconomic status (OR 3.29; 95% CI: 1.55-6.95). Severe vitamin D deficiency increases with age (OR 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02-1.09), female gender (OR 1.80; 95% CI: 1.18-2.75) and with cognitive impairment (OR 1.71; 95% CI: 1.04-2.83). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in people over 65 years of age in our community is high. It would be advisable to determine the vitamin D values in the high risk elderly in order to introduce measures of pharmacological supplementation in those with inadequate levels.

[The acute orthogeriatric unit. Assessment of its effect on the clinical course of patients with hip fractures and an estimate of its financial impact]. / La unidad de ortogeriatría de agudos. Evaluación de su efecto en el curso clínico de los pacientes con fractura de cadera y estimación de su impacto económico.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of the management of hip fracture patients in an acute orthogeriatric unit shared between the departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Geriatrics compared with the usual hospital care, and to analyse financial differences in both systems of care. METHOD: Prospective quasy-experimental randomized intervention study in 506 patients admitted to a terciary hospital with an osteoporotic hip fracture. The usual model of care was the admission to the orthopedic ward with a request to Geriatrics (RC) and the study model consisted of the admission to an orthogeriatric unit (OGU) for the shared co-management between orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians. This model included the appointment of one spokesperson from each department, the specialist geriatric nurse management, early geriatric assessment, shared daily clinical care, weekly joint ward round and coordinated planning of the surgery schedule, the start of the ambulation and the time and setting of patient discharge. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty five consecutive patients admitted to the OGU and 251 patients managed simultaneously by the RC model were included. Except for a mean age slightly lower in the OGU group, there were no differences neither in the baseline patients characteristics nor in the surgical rates between the two groups. Among the OGU patients group it was more frequent to receive rehabilitation in the acute setting, to be able to walk at discharge and to be referred to a geriatric rehabilitation unit (all with P < .05). The OGU patients received geriatric assessment and were operated on earlier than the RC patients (P < .001). The length of stay in the acute ward was 34% shorter in the OGU patients (mean 12.48 ± 5 vs 18.9 ± 8.6 days, P < .001) (median 12 [9-14] vs 17 [13-23] days, P < .001). The whole hospital length of stay, including the days spent in the geriatric rehabilitation units, was 11% shorter in the OGU patients (mean 21.16 ± 14.7 vs 23.9 ± 13.8 days, P < 0.05) (median 14 [10-31] vs 20 [14-30] days, P < .001). The OGU saved 1,207 € to 1,633 € per patient when estimated by the costs for process model, and 3,741 € when estimated by the costs for stay model. CONCLUSIONS: The OGU is a hospital setting that provides an improvement in the patients functional outcome and a reduction in the hospital length of stay. Therefore it saves health care resources. These findings show the OGU as an advisable setting for the acute care of hip fracture patients.

[Efficiency of acute geriatric units in Spain hospitals]. / Eficiencia de las unidades geriátricas de agudos en los hospitales españoles.

OBJECTIVES: To review published data from Spanish hospitals in which comparisons had been made between the mean length of stay in patients admitted to acute geriatric units (AGU) and those admitted to other departments using the diagnosis-related groups (DRG) classification system and to describe our own experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Spanish reports collected in a previous systematic review were reviewed. The case mix of our hospital was added by analyzing episodes in patients older than 74 years old discharged during a 24-month period and included in the most frequent DRGs. The length of stay in patients admitted to the AGU was compared with that in the remaining medical departments in the hospital and with the standard average stay in the corresponding autonomous region. RESULTS: Data were obtained from five Spanish general hospitals. The comparison revealed that the mean length of stay in the AGU was 8-19% shorter than that of similar patients in the other medical departments of the same hospitals. In one hospital, the reduction in the mean length of stay was 21% in patients older than 80 years. In three of the four hospitals where comparisons with the standard were performed, the mean length of stay in the AGU was lower for most of the DRGs, showing reductions of 7-9%. CONCLUSIONS: These results allow us to conclude that, based on the commonly used patient classification and coding system, Spanish AGUs are more efficient than the remaining medical services in the acute hospitalization of elderly patients in our setting.

[Acute orthogeriatric care (II). Clinical aspects]. / Ortogeriatría en pacientes agudos (II). Aspectos clínicos.

The present article reviews the clinical principles of acute orthogeriatric care. The application of geriatric medicine to patients with hip fracture is explained. The principal stages of geriatric intervention in this process are mentioned, as are the interventions to be carried out by the geriatric team. Subsequently, we discuss the management of several frequent problems in these patients, such as high surgical risk, pain management, anaemia, delirium, malnutrition, and discharge planning. Lastly, the characteristics of several kinds of patients with special characteristics are mentioned, such as those diagnosed with dementia, nursing home residents or the oldest-old. Areas of improvement in the acute phase are also reviewed, such as mortality reduction, functional outcome improvement and the need for more efficient resource use in patients in the acute phase of hip fracture.

[Acute orthogeriatric care (I). Healthcare issues]. / Ortogeriatría en pacientes agudos (I). Aspectos asistenciales.

The present article reviews the historical development of several collaborative care models between orthopaedic and geriatrics departments for the care of patients with hip fracture. Subacute orthogeriatric units are described and special emphasis is placed on geriatric consulting teams and acute orthogeriatric units, as well as on their benefits for the patient and the healthcare service. We also review evidence-based studies that support this type of care for patients with acute hip fracture and guidelines from scientific associations involved in the care of these patients. The cost of care is also analyzed. Lastly, the term "orthogeriatrics" is proposed as a common term for this activity and the need for improved future care is discussed.

[The Orpington scale. An evaluation tool in cerebrovascular disorders]. / La escala de Orpington. Un instrumento de valoración en accidente cerebrovascular.

To study the validity of the Orpington scale as a predictive instrument of functional prognosis in patients with stroke. More exactly, to know their ability to assess the admission of patients into Geriatric Units of Medium Stay (GUMS) and the influence of other variables of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) to take into account for the patients admission into such Units. The protocols of the patients older than 65 year admitted with a stroke and surveyed by the Department of Neurology to the Geriatric Unit from the 1st October of 1999 to the 30th June of 2000 were revised. From the 139 patients revised 49% were moved into GUMS and 34% were discharged to their home. The admission into GUMS of patients in subacute phase of a stroke is determined by mental and functional factors that the Orpington scale do not consider by itself. The Orpington scale, into the CGA, gives additional information to the CGA regarding the admission of patients into these Units.