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.

Differences in the baseline characteristics, management and outcomes of patients with hip fractures depending on their pre-fracture place of residence: the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry (RNFC) cohort.

PURPOSE: One in four hip fracture patients comes from an aged care facility. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of these subjects with their community-dwelling counterparts at baseline, during hospitalization and 1-month post-fracture. METHODS: We analyzed data from a cohort of older adults admitted with hip fractures to 75 Spanish hospitals, collected prospectively in the Spanish National Hip Fracture Registry between 2016 and 2018. We classified participants according to pre-fracture residence: community dwellers vs. aged care facilities residents. We collected demographic records at baseline, along with variables relating to in-hospital evolution and discharge to geriatric rehabilitation units. Patients or relatives were interviewed at 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: Out of 18,262 patients, 4,422 (24.2%) lived in aged care facilities. Aged care facilities residents were older (median age: 89 vs. 86 years), less mobile (inability to walk independently: 20.8% vs. 9.4%) and had more cognitive impairment (Pfeiffer's SPMSQ > 3, 75.3% vs. 34.8%). They were more likely to receive conservative treatment (5.4% vs. 2.0%) and less likely to be mobilized early (58.2% vs. 63.0%). At discharge, they received less vitamin D supplements (68.5% vs. 72.4%), less anti-osteoporotic medication (29.3% vs. 44.3%), and were referred to geriatric rehabilitation units less frequently (5.4% vs. 27.5%). One-month post-fracture, 45% of aged care facilities residents compared to 28% of community dwellers experienced a severe gait decline. Aged care facilities residents had a higher one-month mortality (10.6% vs. 6.8%). CONCLUSION: Hip fracture patients from aged care facilities are more vulnerable than their community-dwelling peers and are managed differently both during hospitalization and at discharge. Gait decline is disproportionately higher among those admitted from aged care.

[Cross-speciality geriatrics: A health-care challenge for the 21st century]. / Geriatría transversal. Un reto asistencial para el siglo xxi.

Increasing numbers of older persons are being treated by specialties other than Geriatric Medicine. Specialists turn to Geriatric Teams when they need to accurately stratify their patients' risk and prognosis, predict the potential impact of their, often, invasive interventions, optimise their clinical status, and contribute to discharge planning. Oncology and Haematology, Cardiology, General Surgery, and other surgical departments are examples where such collaborative working is already established, to a varying extent. The use of the term "Cross-speciality Geriatrics" is suggested when geriatric care is provided in clinical areas traditionally outside the reach of Geriatric Teams. The core principles of Geriatric Medicine (comprehensive geriatric assessment, patient-centred multidisciplinary targeted interventions, and input at point-of-care) are adapted to the specifics of each specialty and applied to frail older patients in order to deliver a holistic assessment/treatment, better patient/carer experience, and improved clinical outcomes. Using Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment methodology and Frailty scoring in such patients provides invaluable prognostic information, helps in decision making, and enables personalised treatment strategies. There is evidence that such an approach improves the efficiency of health care systems and patient outcomes. This article includes a review of these concepts, describes existing models of care, presents the most commonly used clinical tools, and offers examples of excellence in this new era of geriatric care. In an ever ageing population it is likely that teams will be asked to provide Cross-specialty Geriatrics across different Health Care systems. The fundamentals for its implementation are in place, but further evidence is required to guide future development and consolidation, making it one of the most important challenges for Geriatrics in the coming years.

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.

Ortogeriatría: primer registro multicéntrico autonómico de fracturas de cadera en Castilla y León (España) / Orthogeriatrics: The First multicentre regional register of hip fractures in Castilla y León (Spain)

Objetivo: El objetivo de este trabajo es describir las características de los pacientes con fractura de cadera en los hospitales públicos de Castilla y León recogidos durante un periodo de tiempo de 3 meses (noviembre del 2014 y octubre y noviembre del 2015). Material y método: El grupo de trabajo de Ortogeriatría de Castilla y León elabora un registro común para recoger datos de las fracturas de cadera. Se incluyen mayores de 74 años ingresados por fractura de cadera, en 13 hospitales públicos de la comunidad, los meses de noviembre del 2014 y octubre-noviembre del 2015. Es un estudio multicéntrico, prospectivo y observacional en el que se recogieron variables clínicas, funcionales, sociales y mortalidad intrahospitalaria. Resultados: Se analizaron 776 pacientes, con una edad media de 86,6±6 años. La demora quirúrgica fue de 4±2,8 días y la estancia media hospitalaria de 10±4,7 días. El riesgo anestésico fue ASA 3±0,6. El 66,5% de los pacientes tuvieron complicaciones médicas intrahospitalarias y precisaron transfusión el 55,5%. Fallecieron durante la hospitalización un 4,6%. La estancia media prequirúrgica se relacionó con la estancia global, con p<0,001. Conclusiones: Los registros de fractura de cadera son una herramienta esencial para evaluar el proceso y mejorar la calidad asistencial de estos pacientes. Este es el primer registro multicéntrico de fracturas de cadera en ancianos realizado en una región de España y puede ser un buen precedente de referencia ante el futuro registro nacional (AU)

Objective: The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics of the patients with hip fracture admitted to the Public Hospitals of Castilla y León during three monthly periods (November 2014, and October and November 2015). Material and method: The Castilla y León orthogeriatrics work group created a common register to collect data on hip fractures. The study included patients 75 years-old and over hospitalised with hip fractures in the 13 public hospitals in the community during November 2014, and October and November 2015. A multicentre, prospective, and observational study was conducted, in which clinical, functional, and social variables, as well as in-hospital mortality, were collected. Results: The analysis included data from a total of 776 patients with a mean age of 86 (±6) years. The surgical delay was 4±2.8 days, and the mean hospital stay was 10±4.7 days. The anaesthesia risk was ASA 3±0.6. Around two-thirds (66.5%) of the patients had medical complications while in hospital, and 55.5% required a transfusion. In-hospital mortality was 4.6%. The mean pre-surgical stay was related to the overall stay: P<.001. Conclusions: Hip fracture registers are an essential tool for evaluating the process and for improving the treatment quality of these patients. This is the first multicentre register of hip fracture in the elderly created in a Spanish region, and could be a good precedent reference for a future national register (AU)

The relationship between nutrition and frailty: Effects of protein intake, nutritional supplementation, vitamin D and exercise on muscle metabolism in the elderly. A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome that predicts the onset of disability, morbidity and mortality in elderly people; it is a state of pre-disability and is reversible. The aim of this review is to assess how nutrition influences both the risk of developing frailty and its treatment. DATA SOURCES: We searched two databases, PubMed and Web of Science. We included epidemiologic studies and clinical trials carried out on people aged over 65 years. We included 32 studies with a total of over 50,000 participants. RESULTS: The prevalence of frailty is ranges from 15% among elderly people living in the community to 54% among those hospitalized. Furthermore, the prevalence of frailty is disproportionately high among elderly people who are malnourished. Malnutrition, which is very prevalent in geriatric populations, is one of the main risk factors for the onset of frailty. A good nutritional status and, wherever necessary, supplementation with macronutrients and micronutrients reduce the risk of developing frailty. Physical exercise has been shown to improve functional status, helps to prevent frailty and is an effective treatment to reverse it. Despite the relatively large number of studies included, this review has some limitations. Firstly, variability in the design of the studies and their different aims reduce their comparability. Secondly, several of the studies did not adequately define frailty. CONCLUSIONS: Poor nutritional status is associated with the onset of frailty. Screening and early diagnosis of malnutrition and frailty in elderly people will help to prevent the onset of disability. Effective treatment is based on correction of the macro- and micronutrient deficit and physical exercise.

Utilidad de una vía clínica en el manejo del anciano con fractura de cadera / Clinical pathway for hip fracture patients

Introducción. La fractura de cadera del anciano se asocia con elevada comorbilidad, por lo que requiere un enfoque integral y multidisciplinar. Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto de una intervención de mejora de calidad en la detección y tratamiento de complicaciones del anciano que ingresa por fractura de cadera. Material y métodos. Estudio comparativo entre dos cohortes de pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera antes (2010) y después de instaurar una vía clínica (2013). La intervención consistió en la implantación de protocolos para el manejo de los problemas más prevalentes, según la evidencia científica actual y se evaluó el grado de cumplimiento de las medidas implementadas. Resultados. Las características de los pacientes ingresados por fractura de cadera en 2010 (216 pacientes) y 2013 (196 pacientes) fueron similares en edad, sexo, índice de Barthel e índice de Charlson abreviado, aunque con mayor número de comorbilidades en el 2013. Tras la implantación de los protocolos, se incrementó la detección de delirium, desnutrición, anemia y trastornos electrolíticos, aumentando la prescripción de hierro por vía intravenosa (en un 24%) y de tratamiento para la osteoporosis (61,3%). La estancia media se redujo un 45,3% y la demora quirúrgica un 29,4%, consiguiéndose una mejor eficiencia funcional. Conclusión. La aplicación de una vía clínica en el proceso asistencial del paciente geriátrico con fractura de cadera es útil no solo para detectar y tratar de forma precoz las complicaciones sino también para reducir la estancia prequirúrgica y global, todo ello sin repercusión negativa en el aspecto clínico y funcional (AU)

Introduction. Hip fracture in the elderly often occurs in patients with high co-morbidity. Effective management requires a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. Purpose. To evaluate the effect of a quality improvement intervention in the detection and treatment of complications in elderly patients admitted for hip fracture. Material and methods. A comparative study was conducted between two groups of patients admitted for hip fracture prior to 2010, and after a quality improvement intervention in 2013. The intervention consisted of implementing improved multidisciplinary measures in accordance with recent scientific evidence. The degree of compliance of the implemented measures was quantified. Results. Patients admitted due to hip fracture in 2010 (216 patients) and 2013 (196 patients) were similar in age, sex, Barthel Index, and a reduced Charlson Index, although there were more comorbidities in 2013. After implementation of the protocols, the detection of delirium, malnutrition, anemia, and electrolyte disturbances increased. A larger number of patients in 2013 were precribed intravenous iron (24% more) and osteoporosis treatment (61.3% more). The average stay was reduced by 45.3% and surgical delay by 29.4%, achieving better functional efficiency. Conclusion. The implementation of a clinical pathway in geriatric patients with hip fracture is useful to detect and treat complications at an early stage, and to reduce pre-operative and overall stay, all without a negative clinical or functional impact (AU)