Abstract

Objective: Hip fracture that decreases the quality of life and causes mortality is a common severe health problem in elderly. In this prospective study was aimed to determine the cognitive, functional and physical problems experienced of patients before and after fracture, and to evaluate the reflection of patient information to nurse and doctor records.

Methods: The sample of the study consisted of 160 patients with hip fracture aged 60 years and over who hospitalized in orthopedic clinics of a public hospital in Ankara between December and August. Data were collected from patients and their relatives, patient files, and records.

Results: The average age of the patients was 77 years and most of them were women. 58.1% of the patients were admitted to the clinic with trochanteric fracture and 93.1% were treated surgically. Compared to before the fracture, it was found that experiencing malnutrition, insufficient liquid intake, constipation, sleep and communication problems while at hospital increased meaningfully. It was identified that dependency to others and bed in all activities totally was 2.5% before the fracture, that this increased to 56.1% after the fracture, and that all these patients were discharged as dependent. It was found that 4.4% of patients had pressure ulcer before the fracture, that this increased to 46.9% after the fracture, and that 96% of these patients were discharged with pressure ulcer. It was determined that the problems experienced by most of the patients before and after fracture, and the situation in the discharge did not reflect on doctor and nurse records.

Conclusion: The results of study also showed that the patients have problems such as malnutrition, dependency to bed and pressure ulcer after hip fracture, and the patients were discharged with these problems. In addition, it was determined that the existing recording system was not operated properly.