Clinical pathways for fractured neck of femur: A cohort study of health related quality of life, patient satisfaction and clinical outcome

The aim of this study was to compare the health related quality of life (HRQoL), satisfaction and functional outcomes of patients with fractured neck of femur treated with standard care to those treated with a clinical pathway at a major Melbourne university teaching hospital. A 12 month prospective cohort study was conducted comprising 57 patients admitted via the emergency department with a primary diagnosis of fractured neck of femur Of these, 28 were treated with standard care and 29 using a coordinated multidisciplinary clinical pathway for fractured neck of femur Outcome measures included; Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36), Modified Barthels Index (MBI), Timed Up and Go (TU and G), Patient Satisfaction and Perception Form (PSPF) and clinical indicators including; length of stay, time to mobilise, and, complication rates. Results indicated that there was no significant difference between the groups on clinical and functional outcome, quality of life and satisfaction. Pathway patients had a 3.3 day shorter length of stay and less complications than standard care patients. We conclude that patients cared for under a clinical pathway for fractured neck of femur in this study did not experience decreased health related quality of life or satisfaction with care. (author abstract)