Long-term survival of surgically treated hip fracture in an Australian Regional Hospital

This study was undertaken to identify factors influencing outcome in elderly patients operated for hip fracture. In particular, this study examined factors related to mortality at least 30 months post-fracture. Hospital records and death registrations were analysed for 463 patients aged 60 or more years treated for hip fracture at a Queensland regional hospital between 1997 and 2001. The overall mortality for surgically treated patients was 13.7% at 100 days and 24.9% at one year. Patient factors including age, gender, health status and place of residence were the predominant influences on mortality. Non-patient and process factors including delay to surgery, type of operation and type of anaesthetic had minimal impact on mortality. No major determinants of length of hospital stay were identified. Patient health status was the main determinant for surgical delay. Our results confirm the persistently high mortality in this group of patients, and suggest that the main determinants of outcome are patient-rather than process-related.