Effectiveness of a Day Rehabilitation Program in Improving Functional Outcome and Reducing Mortality and Readmission of Elderly Patients With Fragility Hip Fractures

Introduction: The incidence of hip fracture is projected to increase in the next 25 years as the world population ages. Hip fracture is often associated with subsequent readmission and mortality. Nevertheless, elderly patients often may not achieve the same level of functional ability as prior to their injury. Several studies have shown that close collaboration between orthopedic surgeons and geriatricians can improve such outcomes and Geriatric Day Hospital (GDH) is one of the examples of collaboration to improve such outcomes. The aim of this descriptive retrospective study is to review the effectiveness of the day rehabilitation program provided by a GDH on functional outcomes, mortality, and readmission rate, among a sample of elderly patients with hip fracture.

Methods: The medical records of patients from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2012, were collected and evaluated. Demographic data of the patients and Charlson Comorbidity Index were collected. The Barthel Index, Elderly Mobility Scale, and Mini-Mental State Examination were measured on admission and at discharge of the patients to evaluate both physical and cognitive functions.

Results: The results showed that the majority of patients benefited from rehabilitation in the GDH. The 12-month mortality rate of patients taking full-course rehabilitation in the GDH was improved. The age of patient was the most important factor influencing the rehabilitation outcomes. Gender was the only risk factor for 12-month mortality and 6-month readmission.

Discussion: Since patients were selected to attend GDH, there was a bias during the selection of patients. Furthermore, it was difficult to compare patients attended GDH with patients who did not because outcomes of the latter were difficult to be recorded.

Conclusions: Our study shows that postoperative geriatric hip fracture patients definitely can benefit from rehabilitation service offered by GDH in terms of functional and cognitive outcomes.