- Podcast
- 31/07/2019
- UK
Pay for Performance and Hip Fracture Outcomes
Description
The podcast episode introduces a discussion on the impact of pay-for-performance initiatives in hip fracture outcomes in the UK, particularly in England and Scotland. Andrew Duckworth hosts, welcoming two experts, Professor Matt Costa and Mr. David Metcalfe, who co-authored a paper on this topic published in The Bone & Joint Journal. The episode covers previous podcasts on various topics within orthopaedics, including robotic knee replacements and cell therapies.
During the podcast, Costa and Metcalfe explain the significant burden of hip fractures, which annually account for high morbidity, mortality, and associated healthcare costs. They discuss the best practice tariff (BPT) introduced in England to incentivize hospitals for providing quality care and examine its effectiveness through a rigorous analysis of national databases. The findings reveal that since the enactment of the BPT in 2010, there has been a notable reduction in 30-day mortality in hip fracture patients in England compared to Scotland, which did not implement similar incentives.
They elaborate on the study design, methodology, and key outcomes, highlighting a 1.6 percentage point decrease in mortality, equating to approximately 7,600 fewer deaths between 2010 and 2016 in England, as well as improvements in operational times and hospital stays. The discussion underscores the importance of the BPT as a model that could be replicated internationally, especially as the global population ages. The podcast concludes with reflections on cost implications and future considerations for healthcare systems worldwide.