Hip fractures – BC’s specialists are leading on innovation to help patients get better, faster

Fracturing a hip can be a life-altering event, particularly for the elderly. A fractured hip can change an older adult living independently into needing dependent living arrangements, such as a long-term care home. As well, decreased mobility can have hugely negative impacts on a person’s overall health.

Statistics show the average hospital stay after surgery is 17 days, in-hospital deaths can be as high as 30%, and about 50% of hip fracture patients lose at least one level of mobility or independence.

Such dire outcomes are why BC doctors are in the forefront of care through the Hip Fracture Redesign Project. The project was piloted in eight hospital sites and will now be the standard of care in all BC hospital that provides hip fracture care.

The project uses an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach that includes surgery within 48 hours of a fracture, carb loading and better hydration to speed recovery, defined care paths, improved communication among the care staff, less days in bed, more effective rehab – all resulting in an improved recovery and a quicker return to the community.

The Specialist Services Committee (SSC), a collaborative partnership of the Ministry of Health and Doctors of BC funded the Hip Fracture Redesign Project.  Learn more from this short, approximately two-minute video story that includes a patient's perspective and an overview of the project’s approach.

The Specialist Services Committee supports specialists’ work and professional growth. SSC was formed in 2006 under the Physician Master Agreement to help the Doctors of BC, BC government and health authorities collaborate on the delivery of specialist services and support improvement of the specialist care system in BC.

Learn more on their website(link is external).