Patients who present with a fractured neck of femur (NOF) have a significant rate of morbidity and mortality. In 2011, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published clinical guidelines in order to improve these rates. Within this guideline NICE state that surgery should be performed on all NOF fractures within 36 hours. Within ABMU Health board the 1000 Lives Campaign goes a step further and aims to operate on 90% of patients within 24 hours.

This study investigates the effect of an additional NOF theatre list on compliance to these national guidelines.

This retrospective study was performed between October-December 2013 and December-February 2015. The first period of data collection represents a daily trauma list whilst the second period allowed an additional NOF theatre list. Data was collected using the National Hip Fracture Database and the Trauma Theatre List.

The number of patients meeting the national guidelines increased with the presence of an additional theatre list (75.19% v 60%). This represents a reduction to the average time to theatre of 4 hours and 30 minutes (29:47 v 34:17). The additional theatre list improved prioritisation of patients with NOF fractures on the list (29.46% v 13.33% listed first on list) and reduced the rate of cancellations (19.38 v 29.17%).

During this study Morriston Hospital did not meet national guidelines, however an additional theatre list did significantly improve average time to theatre. This study highlights the significant impact a dedicated NOF fracture theatre list can have.

Winner – Best Paper Award