IHFD What we measure
In 2018, the IHFD National Report 2017 marks a departure from the traditional Blue Book Standards (British Orthopaedic Association, 2007). As the IHFD has evolved, so too has the way we measure our hip fracture care in Ireland. From now on, the standards of care will be called the Irish Hip Fracture Standards (IHFS), as determined by the Irish Hip Fracture Database Governance Committee.
This timely change also seen the introduction of a Best Practice Tariff (BPT) for hip fractures, the focus of which will be nine core measures, seven clinical measures, and two data quality and governance measures.
| Irish Hip Fracture Standards (IHFS) |
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| IHFS 1: Patients with hip fracture should be admitted to an acute orthopaedic ward within four hours of presentation or brought directly to the theatre from the emergency department (ED) within four hours. |
| IHFS 2: Patients with hip fracture should have surgery within 48 hours of admission, and during normal working hours (Monday to Sunday, 08.00–17.59) |
| IHFS 3: Patients with hip fracture should be assessed and cared for with a view to minimising their risk of developing a pressure ulcer. |
| IHFS 4: Patients with a hip fracture should be reviewed routinely by a geriatrician or advanced nurse practitioner during their admission. |
| IHFS 5: Patients with hip fracture should have their bone health assessed to determine their need for therapy to prevent future osteoporotic fractures. |
| IHFS 6: Hip fracture patients should receive a specialist falls assessment and intervention to prevent further falls. |
| IHFS 7: Patients with a hip fracture should be mobilised on the day of or after surgery by a physiotherapist. |
| Minimum data coverage of 90% annually is required by individual hospitals. |
| Evidence of a local Hip Fracture Governance Committee (HFGC) must be present in each hospital. |
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