Quality improvement in the care of patients with hip fracture

The objective of the project was to achieve enhanced quality and efficiency of care to patients with hip fracture in an orthopaedic department at a county hospital in southern Sweden. A further aim was to create better use of resources by identifying and dealing with problems and no‐value‐added activities. The project adopted an approach based on the stages of Business Process Improvement, with the main outcome measures including flow charting overview and block diagram, process‐walking‐through, effectiveness, efficiency, and adaptability measurements and targets, observations and interviews with patients, relatives and professionals, and examination of care plans. Results showed that the care of patients with hip fracture can be improved, but that this would involve better collaboration among different professions and disciplines, standard care plans, and improved status for the patients.