Hip fractures in the elderly. Discharge predictions with a functional rating scale.
During a 12-month period, 44 (41%) of 108 patients (50 years of age or older) treated for hip fractures were discharged to a nursing home. One year after the fracture, 29 (66%) remained institutionalized, five (11%) had died, and ten (33%) had returned to their own homes. The discharge medical plan of care, completed by the surgeon, registered nurse, and a social worker, was correct in predicting temporary institutionalization in only 66% of the cases. In an attempt to provide a more accurate method of predicting the outcomes of hip-fracture patients, a functional rating scale was developed. The scale proved to be a valuable adjunct in identifying those patients who were predisposed to permanent institutionalization.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003657:Decision Making; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000401:mortality / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D014922:Wisconsin