Hip fractures are a serious issue, impacting the lives of thousands of older individuals in Australia and New Zealand each year. But here's the good news: over the past decade, significant progress has been made in improving patient care and outcomes.
The Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (ANZHFR) was established in 2015 with a clear mission: to collect data and drive improvements in hip fracture care. And it's been a success story!
Co-chairs Professor Jacqueline Close and Associate Professor Chris Wall highlight increased hospital participation and better patient outcomes as key achievements.
"The registry has given us invaluable insights into the journey of hip fracture patients in hospitals," Professor Close explains. "It's not just about understanding the assessments and care they receive; it's about making positive changes to enhance their experiences and improve their long-term outcomes."
Since its inception, the registry has collected an impressive 127,000 records from hospitals across Australia and New Zealand. The number of participating hospitals has grown steadily, from 25 in 2016 to a remarkable 106 in 2024.
The registry's impact extends beyond data collection. It has developed the Hip Fracture Guideline, contributed to the Clinical Care Standard, and engaged with over 100 hospitals and consumers to ensure their needs are understood and addressed.
Assoc Prof Wall emphasizes the positive outcomes achieved: "We've seen improvements in access to pain relief, nutritional support, reduced time to surgery, and increased assessments for frailty, cognition, and delirium. Getting patients up and moving after surgery is now a priority, too. Research shows that adhering to national standards significantly improves survival rates and overall patient outcomes."
As the registry celebrates its 10-year milestone, it's not resting on its laurels. The vision for the next five years is clear: to continue driving excellence in dignified care for older hip fracture patients, using data to continually enhance patient care and experiences.
"We've come a long way," Prof Close acknowledges, "but there's still so much more we can achieve."
And this is the part most people miss: the ANZHFR Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to hip fracture care. This year's Golden Hip Award for Best Performing Hospital went to the team at Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW.
To learn more about the registry's work and impact, you can read the 2025 ANZHFR Annual Report.
Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), an independent research institute based in Sydney, is dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing brain and nervous system diseases and injuries through medical research.
For more information, visit www.neura.edu.au.
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