Abstract
Background: Delay in operative fixation of neck of femur fracture is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Apart from medical reasons, inadequate facilities or poor organization has also shown to delay neck of femur fracture patients going to theatre.
Methods: In the year 2005, the Orthopaedic Directorate of University Hospitals of Leicester formed a fractured neck of femur project group to look at achieving a mean 48 hour wait (from clinical fitness to surgery) for this group to get to theatre. The salient changes effected by the group included assigning a dedicated fractured neck of femur ward where patients can be fast tracked from A & E. A dedicated half-day theatre hip list 7 days a week was instituted staffed by senior anaesthetist and surgeons. Ortho geriatricians were designated for each day to pre- and post-operatively assess fractured neck of femur patients and optimize their medical condition. The number of Trauma Coordinators and clinical aides were increased to provide 7 days a week cover. Also various services were integrated and specialist discharge coordinator assigned for early discharge. These measures were implemented from June 2006.
Results: As a result of these measures the mean time to theatre of fit fractured neck of femur patients increased from 35% in 2005 to 75% in 2007 and 90% for the first 6 months of 2008. The mortality decreased from 18.5% in 2005 to 13.2% in 2007 and 9.3% for first 6 months of 2008. 28.7% of patients were deemed unfit for surgery in 2005. This figure dropped to 6 – 7% in the following years. Also percentage of patients staying longer in hospital decreased from 30.5% in 2005 to 13.4% in 2008.
Conclusion: Reorganisation of available resources leads to better service provision and decreased mortality rate in fractured neck of femur patients.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Matt Costa and Mr Ben Ollivere. Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Costa at Clinical Sciences Research Institute, University of Warwick, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK.
