Acta chirurgiae orthopaedicae
et traumatologiae Čechoslovaca

Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2016; 83(2):84-87 | DOI: 10.55095/achot2016/013

The Eastbourne Trauma Assisted Discharge Scheme (TADS) Reduces Length of Stay in Hip Fracture PatientsOriginal papers

S. LIDDER^*, B. HYLTON, A. NAHHAS, S. RAJARATNAM, A. SKYMRE, A. ARMITAGE

Eastbourne District General Hospital, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:
The aim of this prospective study; The Trauma Assisted Discharge Scheme (TADS), was to set up a new model of post-operative care for patients following a fractured hip, addressing the need for efficiency, cost effectiveness and meeting local demand.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:
All patients with hip fractures between December 2010 and December 2011, meeting the TADS inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study. Innovative use of staff within existing budgets helped create a TAD team who with the use of defined patient goals and a link nurse provided a seamless transition from acute to community services.

RESULTS:
One hundred and sixteen patients followed the TADS pathway; the majority aged 80-89 years and independent prior to falling. A total of 35 patients underwent dynamic hip screw fixation; 55 hemiarthroplasty, 11 total hip replacement and 11 cannulated screw fixation. The average length of in-hospital stay was 8.6 nights. The TADS reduced the average length of stay by 4.78 days.

CONCLUSION:
TADS has the potential to be used as a model of care in other specialities and is easily transferable to the wider NHS.

Keywords: continuous quality improvement, quality improvement, surgery, cost-effectiveness, ambulatory care

Published: April 1, 2016  Show citation