155 Review of the physiotherapy needs of hip fracture patients post discharge from offsite rehabilitation

Abstract

Abstract Background Post-hip fracture in Ireland, 25% of patients transfer to offsite rehabilitation. However, little is known about their ongoing physiotherapy needs at the point of discharge from offsite rehabilitation. Methods A retrospective audit of hip fracture patients admitted during 2022 who discharged home was completed. Measures collected included pre fracture mobility using New Mobility Score (NMS), rate of recovery at discharge using remeasured NMS, rehabilitation Length of Stay (LoS) and onward physiotherapy referral. This data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and descriptive statistics. Results Of 120 hip fracture patients admitted in 2022 who discharged home, there was complete data available for 116. No patient recovered their pre fracture mobility at point of discharge. The mean percentage recovery to pre fracture NMS at discharge was 55% and 84% for those with higher (NMS 7–9) and low (NMS 1–6) pre fracture mobility respectively. Over half (64%, n = 74) were referred for further physiotherapy on discharge from rehabilitation. Most onward referrals were for the rehabilitation day hospital (47%, n = 35), followed by community physiotherapy (28%, n = 21) with the remainder being referred to OPD and private physiotherapy. Those with higher pre fracture mobility (NMS 7–9) were more likely to be referred for further physiotherapy with 69% of this group being referred onwards compared to 36% of lower pre fracture mobility group (NMS 1–6). There were geographical trends reflecting service access with increased community physiotherapy referrals made in areas outside the catchment of the rehabilitation day hospital. Patients referred to community physiotherapy had a shorter mean rehabilitation LoS (35 days) compared to those referred to the rehabilitation Day Hospital (52 days). Conclusion Within this sample of hip fracture patients who went to off-site rehabilitation, those with higher pre-fracture mobility had a reduced rate of recovery to their pre-fracture mobility and were more likely to be referred for physiotherapy post discharge from rehabilitation.