From implementation to impact: Evaluating 1-year outcomes of an orthogeriatric unit
Ana Galhana, Francisca Sarmento, Andreia Lopes, Pedro Benjamim, Nuno Magalhães, Alexandra Resende, Francisco Serra Alves, Pedro Fernandes, Mariana AlvesABSTRACT
Background:
The increasing prevalence of fragility fractures in older patients is challenging, and orthogeriatric units (OGUs) have been introduced to improve patient outcomes.
Objectives:
This study assesses the quality of care provided to older patients with proximal femur fracture (PFF) after the implementation of an OGU and explores factors associated with 1-year mortality.
Methods:
A retrospective, observational, longitudinal study was conducted using electronic health records of patients aged ≥ 65 admitted with PFFs over a 1-year period. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses were performed.
Results:
Out of 391 patients studied, 368 (94%) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 84.02 years (standard deviation: 7.61), with 78.5% female. Pertrochanteric fractures were the most common fracture (52.7%). Surgery within 48 h was achieved in only 19.6% of cases. One-year mortality was 25.4%, significantly associated with sex, age, patient origin, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, two/three or more comorbidities, low hemoglobin at admission, dementia, delirium, hypoxemia, respiratory infections, gastrointestinal bleeding, and readmission within 3 months.
Conclusion:
The OGU approaches a high-risk population, where comorbidities and perioperative complications influence the 1-year mortality rate.