The Network’s analysis of hip fracture data may result in province-wide changes to how some fractures are coded.

For the past nine years, the Network has conducted a quarterly analysis of hip fracture data for acute care and rehabilitation hospitals in Toronto Central LHIN, and more recently, two hospitals in Central LHIN. The reports allow organizations to measure their performance against QBP benchmarks and each other. Organizations are also using the analysis to inform and monitor quality improvement initiatives.

Over time, the reports have indicated an unusually high number of non-operative hip fractures. The Network conducted further analysis in partnership with Dr. Sarah Ward, an orthopaedic surgeon at St. Michael’s Hospital, and identified the reason: no separate code exists for fractures of the greater trochanter (a fracture that does not require surgery). As a result, the data reported by hospitals to CIHI provides an inaccurate picture of current hip fracture care.

The Network has now worked with the Ministry of Health and CIHI to address the problem, and CIHI is considering the addition of a new ICD-10-CA code in the 2021/22 update.

Champlain region follows Network lead

Participating organizations value the Network’s quarterly hip fracture reports for their clarity, easy-to-navigate format and timely data analysis. And word has spread. As a result, the Champlain Regional Orthopaedic Network recently approached the Network for help in producing a similar report. The Network shared its methodology and template and continues to serve as a resource to the group.