Fractured Hip Rapid Assessment and Treatment (FHRAT) Service

More older adults end up in hospital due to a hip fracture than any other injury. And a hip fracture can dramatically change someone’s life. It often leads to permanent disability and loss of independent living.

Toronto Rehab is changing that picture dramatically. Working with the Total Joint Network, we pioneered a new and innovative model of care for hip fracture patients that integrates best practice and begins rehabilitation much earlier.

Now, 95 per cent of our patients are able to safely return to independent living in their own home or a community setting (e.g., a retirement home).

 

Beginning Rehabilitation Earlier

People with hip fractures often face a long wait for surgery and a lengthy stay in an acute care hospital before they begin rehabilitation. As a result, they lose their strength and mobility. This makes recovery even more difficult.

Under our new model, patients now come to Toronto Rehab as early as five days after their surgery. They are assessed by our interprofessional team within seven to 10 days and an individualized plan put it place. One to two hours of therapy a day is appropriate for most patients.

 

Meeting the Individualized Needs of People with Dementia

Individuals with complex health issues or dementia have faced especially long waits for rehabilitation because of their special needs. Often their health deteriorated until long-term care was the only option.

Toronto Rehab’s model includes special training for all staff members so that they understand how to care for people with dementia. They work as a team to find strategies to address dementia-related challenges and to help individuals participate in their rehabilitation.

 

Restoring Independence, Improving Life

The new model is highly successful in reducing the amount of time people need to spend in hospital. On average, patients stay on our unit for approximately four weeks.

Even more important, people are able to return to independent living. Previously, 25 to 30 per cent of hip fracture patients in the health care system required long-term care. Now, 95 per cent of our patients are able to safely return to their own home or a community setting (e.g., a retirement home) despite having varying degrees of cognitive impairments such as early dementia.

 

Changing Practice Across Ontario

Toronto Rehab is sharing its expertise to help others adopt this successful model. We have trained 600 health professionals in 35 hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area. The model is also rolling out across Ontario.