Identification of preoperative factors and postoperative outcomes in relation to delays in surgery for hip fractures

We evaluated factors and outcomes associated with elapsed time to surgery (ETTS) in 1,081 men and 2,891 women (mean age 83.5 years ±9.1) undergoing hip fracture surgery (from 2009–2019). Mortality rates were 4.8%, 6.3%, 6.2% and 10.3% (chi-squared 19.0; p<0.001), and hospital length of stay (LOS) >19 days were 31.9%, 32.8%, 33.8% and 43.2% (chi-squared 18.5; p<0.001) for ETTS <24 hours, 24–35 hours, 36–47 hours and ≥48 hours, respectively. There were no differences between ETTS categories for failure to mobilise within 1 day of surgery, pressure ulcers or discharge to nursing care. After adjustment for age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ score and years of data collection, compared with Sunday, the risk of ETTS ≥36 hours was highest on Friday (odds ratio (OR) 3.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.43–5.03) and Saturday (OR 4.70; 95% CI 3.26–6.76). Compared with ETTS <24 hours, there were increases in the risk of death when ETTS ≥48 hours (OR 2.31; 95% CI 1.47–3.65) and LOS >19 days (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.02–1.75). The median (interquartile range (IQR)) LOS for ETTS <24 hours was 12.7 days (IQR 8.0–23.0), 24–35 hours was 13.5 days (IQR 8.4–22.9), 36–47 hours was 14.1 days (IQR 8.9–23.3) and ≥48 hours was 16.9 (IQR 10.8–27.0; p<0.001). The 10-year period of collection did not change the conclusion. Admissions towards the end of the week are associated with delayed ETTS for hip fractures, while delay in surgery, particularly beyond 48 hours, is associated with increased risk of mortality and prolonged LOS.