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Perioperative delirium increases length of stay, costs after fragility hip fracture surgery
Perioperative delirium was associated with a significant incremental in-hospital length of stay and significant incremental episode-of-care costs following surgery for fragility hip fracture in nearly half of elderly patients studied, according to recently published findings.
Researchers evaluated 242 patients ages 65 years and older who underwent surgical treatment of a fragility hip fracture between January 2011 and December 2012, analyzing demographic, clinical, surgical and adverse event data. To detect perioperative delirium, the researchers used the confusion assessment method prospectively.
During hospital stay, results showed 48% of the patients developed perioperative delirium. The researchers found delirium was associated with a mean incremental total length of hospital stay of 7.4 days and a mean incremental length of stay following surgery of 7.4 days, as well as a mean incremental episode-of-care cost of $8,286 in 2012 Canadian dollars when compared with patients with no delirium. Additionally, the total incremental episode-of-care cost attributable to delirium during the study period was calculated to be $961,131 in 2012 Canadian dollars, according to study results.
The researchers concluded that the implantation of cost-effective interventions to reduce the incidence of perioperative delirium among elderly patients undergoing treatment for low-energy hip fractures is needed. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Zywiel reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.