Queen's Hospital Burton, third highest nationally for 30-day survival rate in hip fracture admissions wins CEO award
Queen's Hospital Burton, third highest nationally for 30-day survival rate in hip fracture admissions wins CEO award
The Royal College of Physicians published their 2023 National Hip Fracture Database report on 2022, which positions Queen's Hospital Burton with the third highest 30-day survival rates for patients admitted for hip fractures. Following this achievement, the team at QHB were recognised with a Making a Difference CEO Award.
The national average 30-day survival rate is 93.6%, and UHDB is rated 97.85%. This significant accomplishment recognises the hard work and excellent service by the trauma, orthopaedic and orthogeriatric teams at Burton and reflects the Trust's commitment to improve patient outcomes, experience, and quality of care.
Orthogeriatric Consultant, Dr Nonyelum Obiechina, commented, ''We are pleased that the collaborative effort between our department and the trauma and orthopaedic teams has had a direct impact on patient survival rates. Hip fractures are incredibly traumatic for older patients, and it is important that we identify perioperative deterioration early and provide treatment at the right time to avoid poorer or fatal outcomes. We are committed to ongoing improvement in the quality of patient care and outcomes in our hip fracture patients across our trust. I am pleased that this has been recognised on a national scale in the latest National Hip Fracture Database report, which holds all trusts in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to account for their services and performance in the management of hip fracture patients.''
Hip fractures are serious and traumatic injuries that can cause prolonged pain, complications such as pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pressure sores and increased likelihood of death in older patients. Over the last three years, admissions have increased across the country and patients with hip fractures have a higher likelihood of further deterioration and death in the first 30 days, and up to a year following hospital admission, which is why timely diagnosis and treatment in the first few days of admission is critical.
The trauma and orthopaedic team at Queen's Hospital Burton adapted their consultant-led orthogeriatric support to patients from five days a week to six by including a weekend day. This enabled timely senior intervention in hip fracture patients deteriorating over the weekend. It also improved the review of the patients by a senior orthogeriatric consultant within 72 hours of admission.
The team at QHB were recognised for their outstanding achievement with a CEO award, part of UHDB's monthly Making a Difference Awards programme, acknowledging the significant contribution from individuals and teams to deliver the Trust's priorities and exceptional patient care.
Mr Shyam Rajagopalan, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Trauma Lead at Queen's Hospital Burton, shared, "It was a great honour and pleasure to meet Stephen and to receive the CEO Award - which we were both delighted and surprised by in equal measure. It was truly a touching moment for all of us.
"The team has worked tirelessly to achieve this goal for our hip fracture patients, and along with these achievements, we are also now working to provide patients with an intravenous (IV) infusion of zoledronic acid which has been shown to help strengthen patients' bones so as to prevent further fractures, which is administered on a yearly basis. The evidence is very compelling, and many hospitals are yet to embark on this. This will be a challenge for us as a team, but I am confident that we can meet this challenge and deliver further benefits to our patients."
Commenting on the collaborative effort in the trauma and orthopaedics team, Sarah Mansfield, Senior Sister on Ward 19 said, "Nursing and medical colleagues, including our ward-based doctors, work really closely together which makes a big difference. We all communicate effectively and have a solid understanding of the needs of our patients, which helps to provide more rounded care and leads to fewer readmissions for falls related injuries.
"We have also developed a follow-up card so if patients experience any issues, they can contact us and we will help them to be treated as soon as possible which we know improves the outcomes for our patients.
"It is really good to receive this recognition. We have a great team here and everyone works together so harmoniously and this award is a real boost to us all."
This award is selected and presented by our CEO, spotlighting the extraordinary individuals, teams and services that work hard to meet the Trust values of compassion, excellence, and openness. UHDB Chief Executive, Stephen Posey said, "I am proud of the work that has been done and the huge impact this has had on our patients and communities. To be one of the highest performing teams in the country in this specialist area is an incredible achievement and reflects the ambition that we have here at UHDB to one of the best places to receive care.
"This is a huge team effort, and I know that everyone from the clinical leadership team to our colleagues on the ward has contributed heavily to this success, which demonstrates what a cohesive, efficient team we have. Congratulations and thank you for everything you do."