Optimal setting and care organization in the management of older adults with hip fracture

Abstract

Hip fracture (HF) is a common event in the geriatric population and is often associated with significant morbidity, mortality and costs for the Healthcare Systems. The growing awareness of HF consequences and the expected rise in the total number of HF worldwide have led to the development and implementation of models of care alternative to the traditional ones for the acute and post-acute management of HF older adults. These services were set to minimize in-hospital complications, streamline hospital care and provide early discharge with the main objectives of improving functional and clinical outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs associated with hip and other fractures. Basically, the main feature that distinguishes these models is the different healthcare professional that retains the responsibility of the care during the acute and postacute phases. This review has been conceived to provide a brief description of the models implemented in the last twenty years, to describe their potential benefits on short- and long-term outcomes, to define the strengths and limitations of these models and the areas of uncertain, and to make some consideration about the future. Actually, on the basis of available studies, it is not possible to define the best model of care for HF older adults. However, the more complex and sophisticated services, characterized by a multidisciplinary approach demonstrated, in randomized-controlled and before-after observational studies, to produce better outcomes compared to the traditional or simplest models. Further research is warranted to confirm long-term functional and clinical benefits of these models and to evaluate their cost-effectiveness.