Promoting evidence-based best practices for hip fracture prevention in residential aged care

doi:10.1111/j.1741-6612.2006.00182.x

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Wiley InterScience

Australasian Journal on Ageing

Volume 25 Issue 4, Pages 185 - 190

Published Online: 31 Oct 2006

Published on behalf of AJA, Inc.

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Research

Promoting evidence-based best practices for hip fracture prevention in residential aged care

Samuel C Scherer ¹ , Catherine Jennings ¹ , Jeanette Rule ¹ , Mindy Smeaton ¹ , Michael J Farrell ² , Sally A Garratt ³ , Leon Flicker ⁴ , Ivor Davis ⁵ and John D Wark ⁶

¹ Royal Freemasons' Homes of Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
² Howard Florey Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
³ Gerontic Nursing Professorial Unit La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
⁴ School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of WA, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
⁵ Southcity GP Services, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
⁶ Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Correspondence to: Dr Sam Scherer, Royal Freemasons' Homes of Victoria. Email: sams@freemasons.net.au

KEYWORDS

evidence to practice translation • hip fractures • hip protectors • Internet • residential care • vitamin D and calcium

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of advice about hip fracture prevention on clinical practice in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) and to survey consumer knowledge.

Methods: Cluster randomised trial using modified two-by-two factorial design. Clinicians received written advice in three RACFs; online advice in three RACFs; both in three RACFs and three RACFs were controls. Free hip protectors were offered in one RACF from each intervention group. Consumer awareness and attitudes to hip fractures were surveyed.

Results: Baseline rate of calcium plus vitamin D prescription was 3.5%. Information provision failed to produce a significant effect on clinical practice during 12-week follow up. Offering free hip protectors was effective (P < 0.0001), but was associated with lower compliance (P < 0.05). Consumer awareness was low.

Conclusions: Low rates of preventative interventions among residents at high risk of hip fracture were not increased by provision of advice to health professionals.

DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)

10.1111/j.1741-6612.2006.00182.x About DOI