- Podcast
- 13/12/2023
- UK
Does The Time To Surgery Influence Outcomes For Patients With A Hip Fracture Who Undergo Total Hip Arthroplasty?
Description
This episode of the BJJ podcast features a discussion on a recent study regarding total hip arthroplasty for hip fracture patients, presented by clinical research fellow Luke Farrow and co-author Nick Clement. The study investigates whether surgical delays impact patient outcomes, specifically looking at a cohort from the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit conducted between May 2016 to December 2020.
They examine not only mortality rates but also factors such as early mobilization, length of hospital stay, and associated costs due to delays. Farrow and Clement clarify that while mortality rates did not significantly differ between delayed and non-delayed surgery groups, early mobilization was decreased in delayed cases, which raised concerns over longer hospital stays and potential increased costs, amounting to around £500,000 for the studied cohort due to delays.
The pair discuss the complexities of determining the appropriateness of total hip replacements versus alternatives like hemiarthroplasty for this frail patient population, emphasizing the delicate balance between timely surgery and the readiness of surgical resources. They highlight the need for more comprehensive long-term outcome data and continued evaluation of service delivery in a financially constrained healthcare environment.
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