Reduction of waiting times in A&E following introduction of 'fast-track' scheme for elderly patients with hip fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of a 'fast-track' scheme (FTS) on waiting times in A&E of elderly patients with hip fractures.


METHODS
Retrospective study of elderly patients admitted via A&E with a diagnosis of 'hip fracture' between May and July 2001. The control group was from the same 3-month period in the year before the introduction of the FTS.


RESULTS
The reduction in mean waiting times between control group (n=61) and study group (n=54) was 3.7h (95% CI: 2.3-5.0 h, P<0.001). The two groups also had significantly different variances. However, no patient in the 'fast-track' group was transferred to the ward within the 'one-hour' target set by the UK Audit Commission.


CONCLUSIONS
The FTS produced a significant reduction in mean waiting times as well as in the variability in waiting times for elderly patients with hip fractures.
Wexham Park Hospital, Slough SL2 4HL, UK. feroz72@hotmail.com
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Dinah
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D006767:Hospitals, District; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors