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Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - British Volume, Vol 89-B, Issue 1, 77-79.
doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.89B1.18316  
Copyright © 2007 by British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery
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Operative delay for fracture of the hip

A TWO-CENTRE PROSPECTIVE STUDY

N. Von Meibom, MB BS, Orthopaedic Senior House Officer1; N. Gilson, MB BS, Orthopaedic Senior House Officer2; A. Dhapre, MRCS, Orthopaedic Registrar2; and B. Davis, MRCS, Orthopaedic Specialist Registrar3

1 Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, West Suffolk NHS Trust, Hardwick Lane, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2QZ, UK.
2 Department of Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery, Luton and Dunstable NHS Trust, Lewsey Road, Luton LU4 0DZ, UK.
3 Colchester General Hospital, Turner Road, Colchester CO4 5JL, UK.

Correspondence should be sent to Mr B. Davis at 27 Wrights Way, Woolpit, Bury St Edmunds, IP30 9TY, UK; e-mail: bjdavis{at}doctors.net.uk

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.






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Registered charity no: 209299     Print ISSN: 0301-620X
Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General