Discharge planning services for safe transition after hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis of discharge readiness, functional recovery, and complication reduction.

Study Summary

9 randomized controlled trials including 861 patients with hip fractures were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing structured discharge planning services (DPS) with usual or standard postoperative care. Pooled outcomes included readiness for hospital discharge, self-care ability, hip function, lower-limb motor function, balance, and postoperative complications. DPS significantly improved self-care ability, hip function, lower-limb motor function, and balance and significantly reduced complications; the results section also reported a significant improvement in discharge readiness, although this outcome had substantial heterogeneity. Overall, structured DPS appears to support safer care transitions and better functional recovery following hip fracture.