The challenge of the next decade: are hip fracture services ready?
The National hip Fracture Database (NHFD) has recently released its latest annual report focussing on the six NHFD key performance indicators used to monitor and drive up standards across the country. 2020 will no doubt prove to be one of the most challenging years in the history of the NHS. This report also presents the first data about the effect of COVID-19 on trauma units around the country and on outcome for patients with hip fracture who have COVID-19 when admitted to hospital or develop it after their operation.
We would like to thank Captain Sir Tom Moore for his support for the NHFD and its aims to drive up the standards of care for hip fracture sufferers like himself.
He is a shining example of what can be achieved after breaking a hip and is in many ways a symbol of the inspirational resilience of multidisciplinary teams across the country at this challenging time. As he says himself: ‘We have to keep on going.’ At the time of writing, Captain Sir Tom Moore is being treated for COVID-19 and our thoughts are with him and his family.
How can the NHFD data be used?
- NHS leaders should use the NHFD data on COVID-19 to understand the course of the pandemic and the impacts on frail older people
- Local hip fracture teams should review the NHFD KPIs for their unit and target below average KPI’s with local QI projects
- Ward teams should reflect on the additional challenge of social distancing for frail older people and ensure they are offering patient information leaflets and carer support information
- Hospital managers should use the NHFD run charts for their hospital to understand the impact of the pandemic
- NHFD clinical leads should use the new NHFD casemix adjusted mortality run charts to check the quality of their data
Should you have any queries about the latest report findings, please contact NHFD@rcplondon.ac.uk or NHFD Senior lead clinician: antony.johansen@wales.nhs.uk.
The report is available to read here alongside a recording of a webinar in which NHFD clinical leads Dominic Inman and Antony Johansen discussed the report findings, the first data on Covid-19 and answered attendees’ questions. The webinar also includes a presentation from the Programme’s Patient and Carer Panel, Julia Ellis, introducing a new and much-needed resource for family carers whose loved one is in hospital after a hip fracture.