Effect of an Optimized Clinical Pathway Protocol Including Fascia Iliaca Compartment Block on Delirium and Postoperative Complications in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Hip fractures are highly prevalent worldwide, primarily affecting frail elderly patients. Frailty increases the risk of complications like postoperative delirium, which negatively impacts outcomes, including morbidity and mortality. Current recommendations favor a multidisciplinary approach and effective pain control, often using preoperative peripheral nerve blocks. We aimed to evaluate a multimodal approach's efficacy in reducing postoperative delirium and complications in geriatric hip fracture patients. <b>Methods</b>: This study was conducted between March 2020 and June 2022. A total of 144 patients evaluated prior to the implementation of an optimized clinical pathway protocol (OCPP) were compared to 117 patients evaluated following its implementation. The protocol included early preoperative evaluation, streamlined medication adjustments, prompt surgical intervention and fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) for analgesia. In addition, early patient mobilization and resumption of oral intake were promoted. The primary outcome was the incidence of delirium during hospitalization. Secondary outcomes were a composite of 30-day mortality or major complications, duration of stay, hospital readmission after discharge and 1-year mortality. <b>Results</b>: The OCPP intervention significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium from 44% to 29% (a 33% relative reduction; <i>p</i> = 0.017), the rate of major complications or death was 14.5% in OCPP group and 25.7% in the control group (<i>p</i> = 0.02). Significantly more patients in the OCPP group were mobilized within 24 h (74.4% vs. 41.3% in the control group, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The median time to ambulation was also shorter in the OCPP group: 65 h (IQR: 39-115) compared to 72 h (IQR: 48-119.75) in the control group (<i>p</i> = 0.028). No differences were observed on hospital stay and 1-year mortality. <b>Conclusions</b>: Among patients undergoing hip fracture repair the implementation of a OCPP significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative delirium and the rate of major complications or death. This improvement was associated with significantly earlier patient mobilization and ambulation. The OCPP was not associated with a lower hospital stay and lower rate of one-year mortality.