Efficiency of a virtual fracture clinic review protocol in adult patients with distal radial fractures requiring semi-acute surgical treatment.

IF 1.9 3区医学 Q2 EMERGENCY MEDICINE

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery Pub Date : 2025-02-07 DOI:10.1007/s00068-025-02764-3

Dorien A Salentijn, Gijs J A Willinge, Ruben N van Veen, Marcel G W Dijkgraaf

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of implementation of a Virtual Fracture Clinic (VFC) review protocol on the time between injury and surgery, and on secondary healthcare utilization, in patients with Distal Radius Fractures (DRFs) requiring semi-acute surgery.

Methods: Data for this retrospective before-after study were gathered between April 2017 and March 2019 (Pre-VFC n = 269), and between April 2021 and March 2023 (VFC n = 440) in a large level 2 urban trauma center. The primary outcome was the number of days between injury and operation. Furthermore secondary healthcare utilization was assessed.

Results: The average time between injury and surgery was 11.0 days (95% CI: 10.6-11.5) before and 9.2 days (95% CI: 8.9-9.6) after VFC-implementation ( p < 0.001). Following VFC-implementation, 33% (was 17%) of patients underwent surgery within 7 days, 92% (was 84%) within 2 weeks, and 99% (was 96%) within 3 weeks (p < 0.001). This included patients with delays of up to 15 days between injury and their initial hospital presentation. Hospital contacts decreased from 5 (IQR: 4-6) to 4 (IQR: 3-5) whereof physical consults decreased from 4 (IQR: 3-5) to 1 and telephone contacts increased from negligible to 1 (IQR: 1-2). Radiographs reduced from 6 (IQR: 5-7) to 4 (IQR: 3-5).

Conclusions: Implementation of a VFC-review protocol is associated with a reduced time between injury and semi-acute surgery for DRFs and reflects an improvement in quality of timely planning. Secondary healthcare utilization is reduced and a shift to remote delivery of care is observed.

Level of evidence: Level III.

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来源期刊

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery 医学-急救医学

CiteScore

4.50

自引率

14.30%

发文量

311

审稿时长

3 months

期刊介绍： The European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery aims to open an interdisciplinary forum that allows for the scientific exchange between basic and clinical science related to pathophysiology, diagnostics and treatment of traumatized patients. The journal covers all aspects of clinical management, operative treatment and related research of traumatic injuries. Clinical and experimental papers on issues relevant for the improvement of trauma care are published. Reviews, original articles, short communications and letters allow the appropriate presentation of major and minor topics.