Early rehabilitation of elderly patients with hip fractures

Key message

Background

A national patient safety campaign, planned to start in 2011, is being prepared. To support decisions regarding the choice of priority areas and interventions, we have performed a rapid summary of evidence regarding early rehabilitation of elderly and fragile patients with hip-fractures. 

Commission

The summary was performed on commission of The Norwegian Knowledge Centre for the Health Services, The secretary of the patient safety campaign 2011. 

Main conclusions

Although a substantial number of studies have been performed, we found no conclusive evidence regarding choice of intervention, combinations of interventions, organisation of rehabilitation or timing of rehabilitation. This is largely attributable to heterogeneity in interventions and measures. 

The conclusions were based on results in three Cochrane reports.