Benefits of an advanced nurse practitioner led hip fracture clinic in an Irish Orthopaedic Trauma Service

Ireland has high hip fracture rates, stressing services for older adults. An ANP-led clinic was introduced to improve post-discharge care. Among 87 patients, significant gains in pain, mobility, and bone health management were seen. The clinic proved a safe, effective model addressing critical gaps in hip fracture follow-up care.

Ireland has one of the highest rates of hip fracture in the world. With a rapidly aging and increasing population, more stress will be put on services for hip fracture patients. Furthermore, accurate data collection with regard to Irish Hip Fracture Data standards needs to be collected to ensure optimal care for this vulnerable patient cohort. To address this, our unit has begun an advanced nurse practitioner (ANP) led hip fracture clinic. The purpose of this study is to assess the benefit of an ANP led hip fracture clinic in a single orthopaedic trauma unit.

Prospectively, over an 8-month period, all patients from a single Irish trauma hospital aged 60 years or older who suffered a hip fracture were seen post discharge at 30 days and again, but virtually, at 120 days in an ANP led clinic. X-rays, wound reviews, and hip exam are assessed initially while residential status, recent hospital re-admission, unplanned return to theatre, bone health, mobility assessment, and health questionnaire are assessed during both sessions. We wanted to assess the impact of our new clinic in terms of service provision and measuring outcomes.

Then, 87 patients were seen in clinic at 30 days. Then, 64 had 120-day follow-up. Significant improvements were made with regard to patients pain scores, mobility, and wellbeing. All patients followed up had been prescribed bone protection by 120-day follow-up. Data were also collected with regard to surgical complications, patient residential status, and functional outcomes.

ANP led hip fracture clinic provide safe, holistic hip fracture care. It addresses an urgent care gap in bone health management post hip fracture.