Clinical pathway after hip fracture.

PURPOSE: Hip fracture occurs frequently, resulting in considerable morbidity, mortality and utilization of healthcare resources. Technical advances in fracture fixation and surgical treatment have improved outcomes following hip fracture in the elderly. However, further improvement in outcomes of hip fracture patients may be possible with utilization of a clinical pathway designed to enhance outcomes in a standardized, cost-effective manner. This paper presents a clinical pathway for the treatment of hip fractures in the elderly with the above aims.
METHOD: The clinical pathway presented is based on personal experience and literature pertaining to the treatment of the elderly hip fracture patient. It outlines a suggested algorithmic approach to the patient that begins with the initial evaluation, progresses on through pre-operative and operative management, and ends with post-operative rehabilitation and treatment.
RESULTS: The clinical pathway for the hip fracture patient in this paper is a working treatment algorithm that has been successful in personal experience.
CONCLUSION: This treatment algorithm has been utilized successfully in personal experience. Further input from healthcare professionals may prove to enhance outcomes in a cost-effective, standardized manner.