The Effect of Homecare on Mortality in Post-operative Hip Fracture Patients

Abstract

Abstract Objectives:                Hip fractures are an important cause of mortality in the geriatric population. Even if a patient’s general condition is good in the post-operative period, mortality is often observed due to complications after patient discharge. This study aimed to investigate the effect of homecare services on mortality after hip fracture surgery. Study Design: Retrospective Data Research Method:                Between October 2013 and September 2018, a total of 228 patients who underwent surgery for hip fractures were retrospectively reviewed for homecare services follow up documents. Age, type of homecare service, number of homecare visits, whether the patient was healthy or exitus, and the otherwise healthy period after fracture treatment were recorded, and the relationships between these facts were statistically analyzed using the Pearson correlation method. Results:               82 (43.3%) of 189 patients who did not receive homecare services and 7 (18.9%) of 37 patients who did receive homecare services were recorded as exitus. The average number of homecare visits to patients receiving homecare services was 5.13. There is a strong correlation between the number of homecare visits and post-operative life expectancy (p< 0.01). The number of homecare visits reduced the exitus numbers significantly (p< 0.05). Both of these correlations were found to be stronger in patients younger than 65 years.