In-Hospital Neck of Femur Fractures Increased Mortality
A study at a British university hospital retrospectively reviewed neck of femur fracture cases that occurred between January 2010 and December 2012. The goal of the study was to determine whether inpatient and outpatient falls resulting in neck of femur fracture had different outcomes. A total of 1,156 patients fell and broke their hip during the period; 70 of the falls occurred in the hospital and the remainder in the community. Comparing outcomes revealed that the risk of inpatient death was 2.25 times higher in the group of patients who had a neck of femur fracture in the hospital. Among the inpatient fractures, 38% occurred in rehabilitation wards and 48% in medical wards. Investigators concluded that root cause analysis and falls prevention interventions should be implemented in these settings in order to improve patient outcomes.
Mohamed M, Patel D, Zhao S, Ballal MS, Scott S. Increased mortality amongst patients sustaining neck of femur fractures as inpatients. Open Orthoped J. 2015;9:412-417.
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