Acute management of patients with hip fracture. A research literature review.
OBJECTIVE
To provide the orthopaedic nurse a summary of the significant research concerning the management of patients with a fractured hip.


METHODS
Meta-Analysis.


METHODS
135 articles reviewed for possible inclusion, 57 original research reports and publications are reported.


METHODS
For the years 1985 to March 1996 Medline, MEDLARS, and CINAHL data bases were searched. Twenty-seven search terms were used, including hip fractured), orthopedic standards, and length of stay.


METHODS
Preoperative, Operative and Postoperative. Studies arranged by author, outcomes, focus, data source and year, sample, and findings.


RESULTS
Research reports were found concerning: preoperative care including the use of MRI, predictors of complications and transfusion needs, and impact of skin traction on pain; operative studies including spinal anesthesia and oxygen saturation rates, use of blankets to keep patient warm, prophylactic antibiotic use, and impact of delaying surgery; and postoperative reports including the incidence of DVT, nutritional status, cauterization, management protocols, morbidity and mortality risks, length of stay, functional status, and ambulation.


CONCLUSIONS
The scientific merit of each study was not evaluated in depth. With some degree of comfort the review did find one study or several studies to support the findings presented.


CONCLUSIONS
Current research concerning the impact of pressure sores, incontinence, management of falls risk, and the impact the fear of falling on postinjury patients are just a few of the topics not adequately addressed.
Anders
R L
RL
School of Nursing, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, USA.
Ornellas
E M
EM
D000208:Acute Disease; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research; D016530:Orthopedic Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D012107:Research Design