Nursing interventions and other factors associated with discharge disposition in older patients after hip fractures

The research on hip fractures has been focused on surgical procedures for hip fracture repair; little is known about the contribution of nursing interventions to outcomes.

To investigate factors, including nursing interventions, associated with the discharge destination of an older patient population hospitalized for a fractured hip or an elective hip procedure. Nursing interventions used during the hospitalized period are identified.

A design model composed of patient characteristics; clinical conditions; nursing unit characteristics; and medical, pharmacy, and nursing interventions related to the outcome of discharge disposition was tested using generalized estimating equations analysis. A total of 116 variables were examined in a sample of 569 hospitalizations from 524 patients aged 60 years and older admitted for treatment of a hip fracture or elective hip procedure in one tertiary care agency over a 4-year period. Data were obtained retrospectively from five clinical databases.

Fifty-four percent of the population was discharged to a location other than to home. The predictors of discharge to home were a younger age, admission from home, and having a spouse, as well as receipt of intravenous solutions, diagnostic ultrasound, a lower number of medications, and moderate use of the nursing intervention of bathing. The identification of nursing interventions indicates that those who received routine nursing care for this condition returned home while those who required interventions for complications or prevention of complications were discharged to an institution.

Using a standardized nursing language with the hospital's information system can provide nurses and others with information that demonstrates the contribution of nursing care to outcomes, including the outcome of discharge to home.