Operative delay for fracture of the hip: a two-centre prospective study.
We undertook a simultaneous prospective two-centre study to examine why patients with fractures of the proximal femur experience a delay in undergoing surgery. At centre 1, 23 of 105 patients (22%) suffered an avoidable delay, 18 (78%) because of a lack of theatre capacity while at centre 2, 71 of 130 patients (55%) had an avoidable delay, with 54 (76%) because of this cause. Miscellaneous reasons such as poor ward management, co-existing medical conditions, and lack of equipment were responsible for the remainder of the delays. Without a substantial increase in operating capacity for acute trauma, it will not be possible to comply with guidelines which recommend surgical treatment within 24 hours in elderly and vulnerable patients.
Von Meibom
N
N
Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, West Suffolk NHS Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, UK.
Gilson
N
N
Dhapre
A
A
Davis
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000592:standards*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006302:Health Services Research; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009873:Operating Rooms; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors