The SIMPLER Nutrition Pathway for Fragility Fractures: A Quality Improvement Initiative

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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Malnutrition is a key contributor to poor outcomes in older adults with fragility fractures, increasing risk of complications, functional decline, prolonged hospital stays, mortality, and healthcare costs. Substantial evidence limited to hip fracture supports early, interdisciplinary nutrition care. However, global audits reveal that most hip fracture patients do not receive recommended interventions. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to co-create and test a pathway and toolkit to help apply evidence-based nutrition care in different fragility fracture settings globally. Methods: The SIMPLER Pathway and toolkit (SIMPLER) were developed through a multiphase, co-creation QI initiative (2018–2025), guided by the Knowledge-to-Action framework. Global experts and clinical teams synthesized evidence, identified the “know-do” gap, and adapted SIMPLER to context through iterative action-reflection cycles. The Model for Improvement guided team building, goal setting, testing changes, and measuring outcomes at pilot sites. Results: Over 100 co-creation activities between 2018 and 2025 engaged staff and patients to shape and refine SIMPLER. A global clinician survey (n=308, 46 countries), two bi-national audits (n=965, 63 hospitals), and qualitative interviews (n=15) confirmed a widespread evidence-practice gap. The pathway and toolkit were pilot-tested in five hospitals across four countries, with action-reflection cycles enabling continuous refinement of prioritized nutrition improvements tailored to local context. Following endorsement in late 2024, 46 healthcare services in 23 countries have formally committed to implementing SIMPLER. Conclusion: The SIMPLER Nutrition Pathway provides a scalable, adaptable framework to support delivery of evidence-based nutrition care in fragility fracture settings. A global evaluation is underway.

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