Effect of rehabilitation site on functional recovery after hip fracture

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether FIM instrument motor outcomes differ between hip fracture survivors undergoing rehabilitation in inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). DESIGN: Inception cohort with follow-up to 12 weeks after hospital discharge. SETTING: University-affiliated tertiary care hospital, IRFs, and SNFs. PARTICIPANTS: All hip fracture patients prospectively admitted between March 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003, were eligible if they were 60 years or older and had surgical stabilization of the fracture. INTERVENTIONS: Posthip fracture rehabilitation delivered at either IRFs or SNFs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: FIM motor score obtained postoperatively and at 2 and 12 weeks posthospital discharge. RESULTS: IRF patients stayed an average of 12.8 days, whereas SNF patients averaged 36.2 days. Rehabilitation participation scores were obtained during therapy sessions and did not differ between groups. A repeated-measures analysis of covariance found a significant group by time interaction (F 2,68 =23.75, P <.001), which indicates that patients in an IRF had significantly higher FIM motor scores than those in an SNF across time. Logistic regression showed that IRF subjects were more likely to reach 95% of their prefracture FIM motor by week 12 than were SNF patients. A significantly higher percentage of IRF patients were discharged home after rehabilitation compared with SNF patients. CONCLUSIONS: IRF patients had superior 12-week functional outcomes, as measured by the FIM motor score, compared with those treated in an SNF. The improved outcomes occurred during a significantly shorter rehabilitation length of stay and remained even when statistically controlling for baseline differences between groups. These data suggest that hip fracture survivors should not be excluded from receiving inpatient rehabilitation services. Randomized clinical trials are needed to understand more fully differences between rehabilitation treatment settings.     

The effects of liberal versus restrictive transfusion thresholds on ambulation after hip fracture surgery

BACKGROUND: Perioperative anemia leads to increased morbidity and mortality and potentially inhibits rehabilitation after hip fracture surgery. As such, the optimum transfusion threshold after hip fracture surgery is unknown.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 120 elderly, cognitively intact hip fracture patients admitted from their own home were randomly assigned to receive transfusion at a hemoglobin threshold of 10.0 g per dL (liberal) versus 8.0 g per dL (restrictive) in the entire perioperative period. Patients were treated according to a well-defined multimodal rehabilitation program. Primary outcome was postoperative functional mobility measured with the cumulated ambulation score (CAS).
RESULTS: Patients in the liberal group received transfusions more frequently than those in the restrictive group (44 patients vs. 22 patients; p < 0.01) and received more transfusions during hospitalization (median, 2 units [interquartile range, 1-2] vs. 1 [1-2]; p < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in postoperative rehabilitation scores (CAS: median, 9 [9-15] vs. 9 [9-13.5]; p = 0.46) or in length of stay (median, 18 days vs. 16 days, respectively; p = 0.46). There were fewer patients in the liberal transfusion group with cardiovascular complications (2% vs. 10%; p = 0.05) and a lower mortality (0% vs. 8%; p = 0.02).
CONCLUSION: Although a liberal transfusion trigger did not result in increased ambulation scores, restrictive transfusion thresholds should be treated with caution in elderly high-risk hip fracture patients, until their safety has been proved in larger randomized studies.     

Research Article: Determinants of ambulatory ability after hip fracture surgery in Japan and the USA

We examined the relationship of the length of stay and the day of initiating partial weight bearing to patients' level of ambulatory ability at 3 months after hip fracture surgery in Japan and the USA. The participants were patients aged ≥ 65 years who had undergone hip fracture surgery between August 2005 and September 2007. The data were collected from three hospitals in Japan and two hospitals in the USA. The participants received questionnaires pertaining to patient health outcomes after discharge. One‐hundred‐and‐forty‐nine patients in Japan and 88 patients in the USA completed the questionnaire. In Japan, the length of stay before surgery was longer and partial weight bearing after surgery was initiated later, compared to the USA. This independently predicted a lower level of ambulatory ability at 3 months after surgery. Assessing the reasons for delaying surgery and partial weight bearing is important in Japan. Encouraging ambulation with weight bearing at the earliest possible time is essential for patients to maintain their ambulatory ability after hip fracture surgery. Prospective studies using a large sample and/or intervention studies are required to determine the causal effect on ambulatory ability.     

Patterns of rehabilitation utilization after hip fracture in acute hospitals and skilled nursing facilities

BACKGROUND: Hospitalized hip fracture patients may receive physical therapy (PT) in acute and/or postacute settings. Patterns of PT use may vary by patient, clinical, and hospital characteristics. These patterns can be analyzed if the acute and postacute stays are linked. OBJECTIVES: We classified the following patterns of PT use: acute PT only, skilled nursing facility (SNF) PT only, acute and SNF PT, and no PT. For each pattern, we compared (1) characteristics of hip fracture patients, (2) length of stay (LOS), and (3) discharge outcomes. SUBJECTS: The study included 187,990 hospitalized hip fracture patients derived from Medicare administrative data. MEASURES: Dependent variables were PT use patterns, acute hospital and SNF LOS, total episode days of care, and discharge destination. Independent variables were demographic, clinical, and facility characteristics. PT use patterns were also used as independent variables in the LOS and discharge destination models. RESULTS: Patterns of PT use were influenced by demographic and clinical characteristics such as age, race, and surgery type. Similarly, different LOS measures and discharge destinations varied by the PT use patterns. Patients receiving acute PT had longer acute LOSs; however, those patients who were subsequently transferred to SNFs had shorter SNF LOSs and total episode days of care. Patients utilizing PT were more likely to be discharged to home after the acute or SNF stay. CONCLUSIONS: Disparities in PT use exist for subgroups of patients such as the elderly and blacks. Providers should determine the most appropriate setting for initiation of PT to achieve better discharge outcomes with efficient use of resources.     

Comparison between men and women admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit after cardiac surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether there are differences in several factors between men and women who undergo inpatient post-cardiac surgery rehabilitation. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. Information was collected on a variety of factors: age; previous myocardial infarction; number of days from surgery to admission to rehabilitation; postsurgery, prerehabilitation complications; length of stay on the rehabilitation unit; living arrangements before surgery; disposition; and postdischarge recommendations. SETTING: Community hospital rehabilitation unit associated with a university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-eight patients (54 men, 84 women) admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation unit after cardiac surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between sex and preadmission living arrangements; 56% of women lived alone versus 26% of men (p < .01). There was a statistically significant difference in length of stay on the rehabilitation unit (p < .02). Men stayed longer, with a median stay of 16 days (95% confidence interval, 15 to 20) versus 15 days for women (95% confidence interval, 14 to 15). Ninety-three percent of men were discharged from rehabilitation at 30 days versus 98% of women. No relationship was noted between men and women in age, previous myocardial infarction, number of days from surgery to rehabilitation admission, length of stay on the rehabilitation unit, postsurgery-prerehabilitation complications, complications on the rehabilitation unit, presurgery living arrangements, disposition, and postdischarge therapy recommendations. CONCLUSION: Men and women showed comparable courses after cardiac surgery. Before surgery, women lived alone more frequently than men.     

老年髋部骨折患者围手术期的护理

目的总结老年髋部骨折患者围手术期的护理要点。方法 2010年6月~2013年9月对本院收治的95例老年髋部骨折患者进行人工关节置换术或内固定术,护士配合做好术前、术后围手术期护理工作。结果 95例患者术后均康复出院,住院时间11 d~28 d,平均(17.5±2.5)d,术后1例患者发生肺炎,1例患者发生切口感染,经治疗护理后治愈。结论住院期间,护士应积极做好老年患者围手术期护理,根据其心理、生理特点,做好心理护理工作,有针对性地预防和处理术后并发症,指导患者进行康复训练,其可促进患者尽快增强日常生活能力,促进康复。     

Patient and caregiver outcomes 12 months after home-based therapy for hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of early discharge and home-based therapy with conventional hospital rehabilitation on patient and caregiver outcomes at 12 months after hip fracture. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Acute and subacute care with follow-up in a community setting in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-six older adults admitted to acute care after hip fracture who were assessed as needing rehabilitation. INTERVENTIONS: Eligible patients were randomized to either home-based (n=34) or hospital (n=32) rehabilitation. Patients assigned to the home-based group were discharged home within 48 hours of randomization. Patients assigned to hospital rehabilitation received usual care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Modified Barthel Index (MBI), timed up and go (TUG) test, Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and Caregiver Strain Index. RESULTS: At 12 months, 56 of 66 (85%) participants were available for follow-up assessment. Both groups achieved significant improvements in MBI and TUG test scores. Patients in both groups had a significant decline in the physical score of the SF-36 and there were no differences between groups. Caregivers of patients allocated to receive home-based therapy reported a reduction in burden after 12 months. Over that period, there was a significant reduction in the burden for caregivers of those patients who received home rehabilitation (P=.020). CONCLUSION: For patients who were previously functionally independent and living in the community, early return home with increased involvement of caregivers after hip fracture resulted in similar patient outcomes (home vs hospital) and less caregiver burden at 12 months.     

Outcome after rehabilitation for total joint replacement at IRF and SNF: a case-controlled comparison

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine whether outcomes differed between patients with single knee or hip joint replacement surgery undergoing rehabilitation in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) vs. skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). DESIGN: A retrospective chart review was performed on 87 pairs of patients treated in either an IRF or a SNF matched for age, gender, type of surgery, and Functional Independent Measure (FIM) motor score at admission. All patients discharged from the IRF for rehabilitation following single hip or knee replacement surgery in 2004 were eligible for comparison with index cases discharged from SNFs with the same diagnosis in 2004. At discharge, FIM motor scores, device used for ambulation, ambulation distance, disposition, and length of stay (LOS) were recorded. RESULTS: The mean LOS of IRF-treated patients was 10.3 +/- 3.3 days, compared with 20.0 +/- 10.8 days for SNF-treated patients (P < 0.005). A significantly higher percentage of IRF-treated patients were discharged directly home (IRF: 89.5%; SNF: 79.1%; P < 0.029). The mean discharge locomotion FIM score for IRF-treated patients was 5.71 +/- 0.91 compared with 4.90 +/- 1.92 for the SNF-treated patients (P < 0.004). At discharge, the mean ambulation distance of patients treated at the IRF was of 380 +/- 168 feet compared with 289 +/- 212 feet for patients treated at SNFs (P < 0.005). Significantly more of the SNF-treated patients required a walker (80.2%) for ambulation at discharge compared with patients treated at the IRF (38.3%, P < 0.001). Of the patients who were discharged home, 75% of the SNF-treated patients required homecare services compared with 41.2% of the IRF-treated patients (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: When patients were matched for age, gender, operative diagnosis, and admission ambulation FIM, those who received rehabilitation in the IRF had, on average, a shorter length of stay and superior functional outcomes than those treated in SNFs.     

Targeted postoperative care improves discharge outcome after hip or knee arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether targeted postoperative care, based on preoperative risk assessment, can increase the number of patients who are discharged home directly from acute care after elective hip or knee arthroplasty. DESIGN: Quasiexperimental with historical control. SETTING: A public university teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred patients who had an elective hip or knee arthroplasty. INTERVENTIONS: Between January and July 2001, 50 patients had their risk of discharge to extended inpatient rehabilitation assessed preoperatively with a newly developed Risk Assessment and Prediction Tool (RAPT). Postoperative management was targeted on the basis of the identified level of risk. Results were compared with those of a similar group of 50 patients treated between January and July 2000. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Discharge destination, length of stay (LOS), and readmission rates. RESULTS: The percentage of patients discharged directly home increased significantly, from 34% during 2000 to 64% in 2001 (P=.002), with no increase in readmission rates in the 12 months postdischarge. In addition, the mean acute hospital LOS decreased by 1.1 days to 7.5 days in 2001 (P=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Use of the RAPT and targeted postoperative care resulted in more patients being discharged directly home after hip or knee arthroplasty while hospital LOS further decreased.     

A cost-effectiveness study of a patient-centred integrated care pathway

Title.  A cost-effectiveness study of a patient-centred integrated care pathway.
Aim.  The aim of the study was to compare costs and consequences for an integrated care pathway intervention group with those of a usual care group for patients admitted with hip fracture.
Background.  Rehabilitation for patients with hip fracture consists of training in hospital and/or in a rehabilitation unit, and on their own at home with assistance from community care staff. It is important for hospitals to provide methods of care that can safeguard these older patients' physical function and potential for independent living.
Methods.  A consecutive sample of 112 independently living participants, aged 65 years or older and admitted to hospital with a hip fracture, were included in the study. Data were collected over an 18-month period in 2003–2005. A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to compare an integrated care pathway intervention (treatment A) with usual care (treatment B).
Results.  There was a 40% reduction for each participant in the average total cost of treatment A of €9685 vs. €15,984 for treatment B. Moreover, clinical effectiveness was much improved. The cost-effectiveness ratio for treatment A was €14,840 vs. €31,908 for treatment B. In addition, 75% of the participants in treatment A were successfully rehabilitated vs. 55% in treatment B.
Conclusions.  The recovery trajectory for hip fracture surgery may be shortened if nurses pay more attention to the individual patient's resources and motivation for rehabilitation. The application of an integrated care pathway with individualized care appears to enhance both rehabilitation outcomes and cost-effectiveness.     

Hip fractures and cognitive state: patient outcomes and proxies' perceptions of the rehabilitation period

Background.  Numerous studies are available on hip fracture and rehabilitation outcomes, some mention dementia but very few from a family/proxy perspective.
Aim.  To investigate whether cognitive state influences the hip fracture patients' rehabilitation outcomes as well as the proxies' perceptions of the 6-month rehabilitation period.
Design.  A survey with structured and unstructured questions. Statistics and content analysis.
Methods.  The questionnaire was sent to 40 proxies of hip fracture patients with and without cognitive impairment, 32 replied. Statistics and content analysis were used to analyse the data.
Results.  In the cognitively impaired group, physical function decreased ( P  = 0.0241) as well as locomotion ( P  = 0.0005) compared to pre-fracture. This group mainly participated in rehabilitation sessions in institutions ( P  = 0.0001) and their main support came from nursing staff. The cognitively impaired group assessed the rehabilitation period as being of a much lower quality than the cognitively intact group ( P  = 0.0048). In the impaired group, hindrances to rehabilitation were low level of staffing, and lack of access to rehabilitation resources such as physiotherapists.
Conclusions and relevance for clinical practice.  Hip fracture patients are a dichotomous group and cognition is decisive for physical and social outcomes as well as type of rehabilitation support.     

Functional recovery and length of stay after recurrent hip fracture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the functional recovery and the rehabilitation length of stay after the sequential fracture of both hips in elderly patients. DESIGN: A total of 372 in-patients with hip fractures consecutively admitted to our rehabilitation hospital were included in this retrospective study. A total of 333 out of 372 were admitted for rehabilitation of their first hip fracture, and the other 39 patients had a second contralateral fracture. The functional recovery was evaluated by the Barthel index. The comparison between the two groups was performed by unpaired t test. Stepwise linear multiple regression analysis was performed, including nine prognostic factors together with the number of hip fractures (first or recurrent) as independent variables and the Barthel index score on discharge as the dependent variable. The statistical analysis was repeated, substituting hospital length of stay for Barthel index. RESULTS: Both the functional recovery and the length of stay of the patients affected by recurrent fracture were similar to the ones of the patients suffering from a single fracture. Regression analysis showed that the previous hip fracture was associated neither with the Barthel index nor with the length of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the functional recovery in elderly patients with hip fractures is not significantly influenced by a previous fracture of the contralateral hip and that no significant prolonged rehabilitation length of stay is needed after the recurrent fracture.     

Acute inpatient rehabilitation of 55 patients after liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: Acute rehabilitation for patients who have had liver transplants is often necessary to restore functional mobility, but no studies, except for case reports, have documented the complications, outcomes, or predictors of success of an acute inpatient rehabilitation program. Our objective was to examine each of these areas related to rehabilitation after liver transplantation. DESIGN: We performed a chart review of 55 patients who received a liver transplant and were treated on our acute rehabilitation service. We examined several factors, including age, reason for transplant, length of acute hospital stay, length of acute inpatient rehabilitation stay, FIMtrade mark scores, albumin levels, medical complications, and discharge disposition. RESULTS: Patients undergoing rehabilitation after liver transplantation required multiple medical interventions, including liver biopsy, ultrasound, blood transfusions, and dialysis. Several patients (15%) were transferred to the acute care hospital for medical problems. Both a low albumin and a long length of stay in the acute care hospital correlated with a longer stay in rehabilitation and less efficient rehabilitation. Longer rehabilitation stays correlated positively with FIM gain (P < 0.001, r = 0.534). Significant improvements in FIM scores (P < 0.001) during acute inpatient rehabilitation were noted in patients who were discharged to home. We also found that age, albumin level, and length of stay in the hospital did not predict discharge disposition. CONCLUSION: Patients who have had liver transplants can achieve significant functional gains in acute rehabilitation. Rehabilitation professionals should be aware of potential complications and factors that may affect the rehabilitation of this patient population.     

Cognitive function and health-related quality of life after delirium in connection with hip surgery. A six-month follow-up

NEED: Delirium is a serious psychiatric disorder, and elderly patients who undergo hip surgery are at higher risk for delirium development. PURPOSE: The purpose was to compare change in cognitive function and health-related quality of life 6 months after hip surgery in patients who experienced postoperative delirium with those who did not. SAMPLE: A total of 115 patients 75 years or older were included. MEASURES: Screening for delirium was done using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th ed criteria. Cognitive function was measured with the Mini Mental State Examination and health-related quality of life with the SF-36. RESULTS: Of the 115 patients, 32 became delirious during hospital stay (D group), whereas the remaining patients did not (NonD group). Both D and NonD groups scored lower on the Mini Mental State Examination at follow-up than during hospital stay, but the deterioration was significantly greater in the D group. At follow-up, health-related quality of life was improved in patients who were destined for hip replacement surgery but unchanged or impaired for those with hip fracture. Delirium onset in connection with hip fracture lowered the health-related quality of life even more. At follow-up, low cognitive function correlated with lower scoring in physical function. Greater knowledge about delirious patients' vulnerable positions related to lower cognition and life quality can improve rehabilitation and support for these patients.     

Morbidity and mortality among patients with hip fractures surgically repaired within and after 48 hours

OBJECTIVE: The objectives were (1) to compare the morbidity and mortality of patients with hip fractures surgically repaired within and after 48 hours of the occurrence of fracture and (2) to establish whether timing of repair alone had a major role in determining how the patients fared after the surgical repair or whether comorbidities also affected outcomes. SAMPLE: The study involved the medical records of 49 patients (aged 51 to 99 years) admitted to Coney Island Hospital between January 2003 and January 2004 with a primary diagnosis of hip fracture who underwent surgical repair. DESIGN: Analysis of data was done by retrospective chart review of patients admitted with the diagnosis of hip fracture to an acute care hospital setting. Follow-up continued until the patients were transferred to a rehabilitation facility for physical or occupational therapy after surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: The preoperative health status of each patient was assessed by cardiopulmonary risk index score, based on comorbid conditions, and postoperative outcome was determined by complications (such as bed sores, pneumonia, urinary tract infection, deep vein thrombosis, or pulmonary embolism) or death. RESULTS: Patients who underwent early surgical repair (within 48 hours) had fewer postoperative complications (14.7%, as compared with 33.3% in the group undergoing surgery >48 hours after fracture). CPRI scores in the early and delayed surgery groups were also compared with regard to postoperative mortality and morbidity. It appeared that there was a higher statistical correlation between CPRI scores and complications among patients in the early surgery group (P=0.39) and an insignificant correlation among patients in the delayed surgery group (P=0.07). CONCLUSION: Surgical repair of hip fractures within the first 48 hours was associated with better health outcomes in a nationally representative sample, as observed in an acute care facility, irrespective of comorbid conditions.     

Outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation of primary and revision total hip arthroplasty

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of patients who have gone to inpatient rehabilitation after primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) and revision THA. DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative study. SETTING: Fifty-bed freestanding, university-affiliated rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred fifty-five male and female primary THA patients and 147 male and female revision THA patients. INTERVENTION: Interdisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of stay (LOS), FIM instrument score and FIM motor score components, hospital charges, and discharge disposition location. RESULTS: FIM scores improved from admission to discharge by 29.7 and 27.9 points for the primary THA and revision THA groups, respectively (P<.05). LOS was shorter for primary THA patients compared with revision THA patients (10.0d vs 11.5d, P<.05). FIM efficiency (DeltaFIM/LOS) was greater for primary THA compared with revision THA (3.4 and 2.7 points/day, P<.05). Total rehabilitation hospital charges were 11,421 US dollars and 13,707 US dollars for the primary and revision THA groups, respectively, with the mechanical and infection revision THAs incurring the greatest charges (14,596 US dollars and 15,386 US dollars, respectively; P<.001). Compared with primary THA, revision THA patients were twice as likely to be discharged to locations other than home. CONCLUSIONS: FIM score improvement was lower and LOS and hospital charges were greater in revision THA than in primary THA after rehabilitation. Infection revision THA patients gained less functional independence and were discharged home less often than mechanical or pain revision THA patients; finally, infection and mechanical revision THA accrued the highest hospital charges.     

Treatment of pain for older hip fracture patients across settings

PURPOSE: To examine the treatment of pain following hip fracture across settings (hospital to nursing home or rehabilitation facility). DESIGN: This was a secondary data analysis of two survey design studies that collected data on hip fracture patients in the hospital and for posthospital days at an institutional setting. SAMPLE: 115 subjects, 65 years or older, who had undergone surgical treatment of a hip fracture. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed to compare the amount of pain medication administered to postoperative hip fracture elders during the last 24 hours in the hospital with that of the first 24 hours in the nursing home (NH). FINDINGS: The mean length of stay following surgery was 4.8 days. Subjects received significantly less medication during the first 24 hours in the NH as compared with the last 24 hours of hospitalization. Over one third (37.4%) of the subjects received no opioid analgesic and 18.3% (n = 21) received no analgesic of any kind during the first 24 hours of NH stay. IMPLICATIONS: Rather than simply listing medications orders, hospital nursing staff should communicate type, amount, frequency and efficacy of pain medication in transfer notes to nursing home staff. Nursing home staff would benefit from postoperative pain management education.     

以功能恢复为目标导向的多维度康复干预对心脏瓣膜置换术后患者康复效果的随机对照研究

目的:评估以功能恢复目标为导向的多维度康复干预模式对瓣膜置换术后患者在住院期间的康复疗效。方法:将40例拟行心脏瓣膜置换术患者分为干预组和对照组,每组各20例。对照组将进行常规标准化康复干预,干预组将进行以功能恢复目标为导向的康复干预措施,方案的实施分为目标制定、目标执行、目标反馈三个阶段,出院时进行疗效评价。主要结果指标为出院时6min步行距离,次要结果指标为活动功能达标时间、术后住院时长、功能独立性评定。结果:与对照组相比,干预组患者出院时6min步行距离明显延长(P<0.01),活动功能达标时间明显缩短(P<0.05),术后住院时长明显缩短(P<0.05),功能独立性明显增加(P<0.05)。结论:心脏瓣膜术后进行以功能恢复目标为导向的多维度康复干预措施,可以改善患者出院时的功能活动能力,减少住院时间,促进心脏功能的恢复。