A NAFF Pathway - Non Ambulatory Fragility Fracture

Description

The transcript records a speech by Bob Handley, an orthopedic surgeon and the National Clinical Lead for the GIRFT (Getting It Right First Time) initiative in Orthopedic Trauma, discussing the management of non-ambulatory fragility fractures in England. He acknowledges the challenge of increased patient demand on hospitals and emphasizes the need for a systematic approach to manage this patient group effectively.



Handley highlights the concept of 'NAFF' (non-ambulatory fragility fractures), which includes patients requiring urgent admission due to fragility fractures, emphasizing their need for appropriate pain relief, mobility restoration, and management of comorbidities. He contrasts the treatment of these patients with those of elective surgeries, stressing the inequity faced by NAFF patients in hospitals. The discussion also touches on a virtuous feedback loop created through data collection and how collective efforts among various medical specialists (orthopedics, geriatrics, physiotherapy, etc.) led to improvements in hip fracture management in recent years, which Handley believes should extend to all fragility fractures.



He also critiques the current hospital systems for their inequitable treatment based on fracture type and admission classification, advocating for a pathway that ensures all patients with similar needs are treated similarly, regardless of their specific injury. Handley urges the healthcare community to collaborate effectively to provide comprehensive care in cohesive environments, aiming for equitable treatment standards, which can enhance recovery outcomes for patients and decrease the strain on hospital resources.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-251226

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