The association between Norton scale gain and functional outcome among older hip fracture patients.
Eliyahu H Mizrahi, Emilia Lubart, Ilia Stambler and 1 others
PMID 33570302WHAT IT FOUND
Older hip fracture patients whose Norton score improved during rehab had better discharge function on FIM.
A nurse-recorded Norton gain tracked with rehabilitation outcome, but this study did not prove it can replace FIM.
Key findings
01Of 227 patients, 156 had a positive Norton gain.
02Patients with positive Norton gain had higher total and motor FIM at discharge and larger gains in those scores.
03After adjustment, Norton gain remained associated with discharge total FIM, discharge motor FIM and motor FIM gain.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
This was a retrospective chart review from a single medical centre, so the findings may not apply to other settings. The study did not compare reliability or validate interchangeability between the Norton Scale and the Functional Independence Measure; it only showed correlation. Patients who needed less than seven days of rehabilitation or had severe conditions limiting active rehabilitation were excluded, so the results may not apply to more complex patients. All patients received a routine interdisciplinary rehabilitation package, including medical treatment, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy and social work, so the study cannot separate the contribution of any single component. The authors stated that definite clinical recommendations are not possible from this sample.
Declared interests
The supplied text states no conflict of interest and does not name a funding source.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that the Norton score can replace the FIM. The study was retrospective, single-centre, and only tested correlation; it did not compare reliability or validate interchangeability, and the authors said definite clinical recommendations are not possible.