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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Simon Jameson, Dr Peter Avery, Andrew Gray, Professor David Deehan
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Objectives There is growing emphasis on minimizing surgical delay for neck of femur fractures. Surgery within 36 h of diagnosis by the emergency department (ED) is classed as a key performance indicator. We aimed to determine the influence of the effect of time of presentation to the ED on surgical delay and 90-day mortality. The influence of age (< 85 vs. >= 85 years) on these outcomes was also examined.Methods A retrospective study was carried out. Data on 663 patients admitted over 30 months to a single unit were analysed for times of presentation to ED, radiographs in ED, admission to trauma ward and surgery. The delays to admission and surgery were calculated. The patients were divided into four 'time classes' depending on their time of presentation in the ED (i.e. 00:00-06:00, 06:00-12:00, 12:00-18:00 and 18:00-00:00) and into two 'age cohorts' (i.e. < 85 and >= 85 years).Results The four 'time classes' included 58, 157, 259 and 189 patients, respectively. Patients who presented between 00:00 and 06:00 had a significantly reduced surgical interval and delay (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the outcome measures, that is 36-h operation and 90-day mortality rates between the four classes. Overall, 386 patients were aged below 85 years and 277 were aged at least 85 years. Admission and surgical delays were similar between the two age cohorts, as were the 36-h operation rates. The 90-day mortality rates were 5.7 and 17.7%, respectively (P < 0.0001).Conclusion This study showed that the time of presentation to the ED could influence surgical delay. However, there was no direct relationship between surgical delay and 90-day mortality. European Journal of Emergency Medicine 20:178-181 (c) 2013 Wolters Kluwer Health vertical bar Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Author(s): Khan SK, Jameson SS, Avery PJ, Gray AC, Deehan DJ
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: European Journal of Emergency Medicine
Year: 2013
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
Pages: 178-181
Print publication date: 01/06/2013
ISSN (print): 0969-9546
ISSN (electronic): 1473-5695
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/MEJ.0b013e328354aee5
DOI: 10.1097/MEJ.0b013e328354aee5
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