Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42342903›Full record

ArticleArchives of osteoporosis2026

The development and evolution of the Irish Hip Fracture Database: a quality care initiative 2013-2024.

L Brent, E Ahern, T Murphy, C Hurson, T Coughlan, P Hickey, C Lodola, M E Walsh, E Byrne, F Fitzpatrick

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Archives of osteoporosis, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

L BrentSchool of Population Health, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland. louisebrent@rcsi.com.
E AhernDepartment of Geriatric Medicine, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.
T MurphyDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University Hospital Waterford, Waterford, Ireland.
C HursonDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
T CoughlanDiscipline of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
P HickeyNational Office of Clinical Audit, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
C LodolaNational Office of Clinical Audit, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
M E WalshNational Office of Clinical Audit, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
E ByrneCentre for Positive Health Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
F FitzpatrickDepartment of Clinical Microbiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Clinical audits are central to quality improvement in healthcare, yet practical real-world descriptions of how they are implemented, governed and sustained are limited. This paper describes the establishment, evolution and impact of the Irish Hip Fracture Database (IHFD) within the Irish healthcare system as an exemplar.

introductionClinical audits compare clinical practice against defined standards to identify areas for improvement and showcase excellence. International literature provides limited insight into how they are governed and sustained. Using the IHFD, a mature national audit, this paper reviews its development, evolution and sustained momentum from 2013 to 2024.

methodsLongitudinal data were captured via the Hospital Inpatient Enquiry (HIPE) system, encompassing all eligible Irish acute hospitals. Included cases were patients aged ≥ 60 years with hip fractures, as defined by IHFD. Three organisational surveys (2016, 2020, 2024) were undertaken to assess hospital resources, care pathways, governance structures and audit supports.

resultsIn total, 41,304 cases were included in the analysis. National coverage exceeded 90% from 2017. Demographic characteristics remain consistent. Improvements in data quality, adherence to Irish Hip Fracture Standards were observed, including geriatrician assessment (11% in 2013 to 86% in 2024) and bone health assessment (65% in 2013 to 90% in 2024). Service reconfigurations and resourcing to support hip fracture care occurred over this period. Engagement with the audit remained robust despite major challenges including COVID-19, a national cyberattack and ongoing health system reform.

conclusionSustained success of a national hip fracture clinical audit requires strong leadership, effective governance, clear clinical standards, accessible data and timely reporting. Continued relevance requires agility and alignment with evolving system needs.

Indexed as

Databases, FactualHip FracturesQuality ImprovementAgedAged, 80 and overFemaleHumansIrelandMaleMiddle AgedGovernanceHip fracture clinical auditQuality improvement

Identifiers

PMID42342903
PMCPMC13294304

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.