In a remarkable achievement that showcases excellence in patient care, Cabrini has emerged as the leading healthcare facility across Australia and New Zealand for early patient mobilisation following hip fracture surgery. According to the Australian and New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (ANZHFR) 2024 Annual Report, an impressive 94% of Cabrini patients were mobilised on day one post-surgery, which is nearly double the Australian average of 48%.

Approximately 19,000 Australians present to hospital with a hip fracture each year, not to mention the thousands of people who experience arthritis/hip pain and require surgery to alleviate their symptoms. Due to an aging population, obesity and increased life expectancy, there were a staggering 59,306 hip procedures performed in Australia in 2023, according to the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR).

Cabrini is a leader in orthopaedic surgery. With 38 orthopaedic surgeons, Cabrini performs over 1500 joint replacements each year. The incredible mobilisation results from the ANZHFR report are due to Cabrini’s coordinated multidisciplinary care, from pre-surgery consultations through to rehabilitation and home care.

As Phillipa Risbey, Cabrini orthopaedic physiotherapist of over 30 years notes, “ Our success in early mobilisation of hip fracture patients is due to medical, nursing and allied health staff working together to provide high quality care. Our surgeons, anaesthetists and physicians support patients to be medically ready for early mobility, and our nurses and physiotherapists collaborate closely to get patients dressed, out of bed and moving from day of surgery onwards. A high standard of care, combined with strong cross-discipline approach, is what makes our orthopaedic unit special, and a leader in the field.”

Early mobility is critical to reduce length of stay and improve patient outcomes, not only after hip fracture surgery, but also after many other common orthopaedic and spinal surgery procedures. Through research, Cabrini realised that supporting the orthopaedic physiotherapy service was essential to achieving a high percentage of early mobilisation in these patients.

This support has enabled senior physiotherapists to be available to mobilise patients within three hours of surgery across extended hours and seven days of service. As Phillipa notes, “our achievement of 94% day one mobilisation of hip fracture patients is representative of our outcomes in other patient groups, such as hip and knee replacement and lumbar spine surgery patients. Cabrini’s commitment to supporting the orthopaedic physiotherapy service is what has made this possible. Patients who are admitted to hospitals without a full weekend or after-hours physiotherapy service, or access to senior physiotherapists, may not have the opportunity to mobilise early, which may compromise their recovery.”

Indeed, Cabrini also offers the unique Enhanced Home Orthopaedic Program which is seeing patients being discharged to the comfort of home, walking safely and with confidence within just two to three days of surgery.

As Phillipa concludes, “The best patient outcomes are possible when staff work seamlessly together. The 2024 ANZHFR result is one of the most memorable of my career as all staff associated with the orthopaedic unit have contributed to this achievement, it reflects on everything we do.”

Learn more about Cabrini’s orthopaedic services