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Measurement of fasting time and prepatation for surgery for 67 years and older with hip fracture at Landspitali University hospital: A descriptive research
ENGLISH SUMMARY
Measurement of fasting time and preparation for surgery
for 67 years and older with hip fracture at Landspitali
University hospital:
A descriptive research
Geirsdottir, Th., Sigurðardottir, A.K., Asmundsdottir, L.B.
ABSRTAKT
Introduction
It is estimated that 18% of women and 6% of men will experience a
hip fracture in their later years. Hip fractures can cause loss of skills
and a change in residency of those involved. Fasting before surgery
is a necessary preparation but in recent years research has shown
that the fasting time is too long and the waiting time for surgery is
getting longer. The number of older people is increasing, including
those with hip fractures. It is important to consider nutrition before
surgery for older people to prevent complications. The purpose
of this research was to analyze how preparation and fasting were
implemented with people ≥67years who broke their hips and
underwent surgery at Landspítali Hospital in the year 2021. Also, to
analyze which interventions are conducted during the waiting time
for surgery, compare older and younger patient groups and factors
affecting how long participants fasted.
Methodology
Quantitative retrospective data study, where patients were all
≥67 years old, who had a hip fracture and underwent surgery at
Landspítali Hospital in the period January 1st until June 30th 2021.
Results
Patients were 144, the average age was 82,1 years (sd ±8.18). The
waiting time for surgery was on the average 30 hours (sd ±19.6) and
the average fasting time was 13 hours (sd ±5.21). Of the patients 40%
had to fast two days in a row due to unforeseen circumstances. Also
40% of the patients developed delirium before surgery, that were
more common among ≥80 years (n=83) compared to the group of ≤79
ára (n=61) p=0,038. Assessment of nutritional status was performed
on 14,6% of the individuals before surgery but documentation was
deficient in many respects. Lineal regression showed that at longer
fasting time on fluid had association to more use of nutrition drinks
and increased age decreased fasting time (p=0,001).
Conclusions
Fasting time must be shortened before hip surgery. More emphasis
needs to be put on shortening the waiting time for surgery to prevent
complications for older people with hip fractures. More attention
must be paid to nutrition, physical, social and mental activity during
the waiting time to increase wellbeing. Nursing documentation
needs to be improved.
Keywords
Fasting, older people, hip fracture, fragility, nutrition, delirium.
Correspondent
thuridg@landspitali.is