THERE is considerable room for improvement in the care of hip fracture patients in Australian and New Zealand hospitals, according to a recent report.
The Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry highlights considerable variation between hospitals in a number of aspects of fracture care and is calling on hospitals to adopt uniform standards.
"The timing of surgery, management of pain and post-operative care were areas that were highlighted as needing improvement," says Professor Jacqui Close, Geriatrician and Co-Chair of the ANZHFR.
"Lives can be dramatically improved by applying best practice principles through timely, coordinated care that considers the ongoing needs of each patient."
Hip fracture is the most serious and costly fall-related injury suffered by older people.
In Australia, more than 50 people are admitted to hospital with a hip fracture every day. This is an increase of 22 per cent since 2002-03.
The individual consequences are significant: 5 per cent of those admitted will die in hospital; more than 10 per cent will be discharged directly to an aged care facility; after 12 months fewer than 50 per cent of people will be walking as well as they did before their injury; and another 15-20 per cent will have died.
The ANZHFR is a joint initiative of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine (ANZSGM), the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA), and the New Zealand Orthopaedic Association (NZOA).