Patient and hospital factors influencing discharge destination following hip fracture

Objective: To compare demographics, treatment and health outcomes for individuals hospitalised with a hip fracture and examine predictors of postacute discharge destination.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from the Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry of individuals aged ≥50 years hospitalised with a hip fracture from 2015 to 2018 (n = 29 881). Multinominal logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with discharge destination for individuals from private residences.

Results: Advancing age, impaired cognition, reduced walking ability and poorer pre-operative health were predictors for discharge to residential aged care. The odds of discharge to a rehabilitation unit were higher for individuals with extracapsular fractures, treated at major trauma centres or at hospitals with home-based rehabilitation. Individuals in rural areas had higher odds of discharge to another hospital or ward.

Conclusion: In addition to well-known demographics, injury and treatment factors, non-clinical factors including geographic area of residence also affect discharge destination.