Hip fracture management and outcomes at a regional South Dakota hospital.
The annual number of hip fractures is expected to increase dramatically in coming decades. It is, therefore, in the best interest of the health care community to maximize its efficiency in treatment of such fractures. This study examines the outcomes for elderly patients admitted to a Midwest regional hospital with the diagnosis of hip fracture in 2007. It found that the hospital tended to keep auxiliary cardiac testing at a minimum, treat as many patients as possible, get patients into surgery as quickly as possible and minimize both lengths of stays and mortality. However, our study found there was room for improvement in decreasing the wait time to surgery for the patient by improving physician communication and laboratory turnaround.
Atchison
Elizabeth
E
Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, USA.
Carlson
Walter O
WO
D000368:Aged; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013023:South Dakota; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome