ABSTRACT
AIM: Mortality rates of up to 38% at one year have been reported following surgery for neck of femur fractures. The aim of this review is to evaluate the post-operative mortality rates and trends over time for patients with fractured neck of femur at Waitemata District Health Board. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study of all patients who received surgery following a neck of femur fracture at Waitemata District Health Board between 2009 and 2016. Inpatient data was retrieved from electronic hospital records and mortality rates from the Ministry of Health, New Zealand. Analyses included crude mortality rates and trends over time, and time-to-theatre from presentation with neck of femur fracture. RESULTS: A total of 2,822 patients were included in the study; mean age 81.9 years, 70.4% female and 29.6% male. Overall post-operative crude rates for inpatient, 30-day and one-year mortality were 3.7%, 7.2% and 23.8% respectively. Adjusted analyses showed a statistically significant decrease in mortality rates between 2009 and 2016 at inpatient (p=0.001), 30 days (p=<0.001) and one year (p=<0.001) time periods. There was also a significant association between time-to-theatre and mortality at inpatient (p=0.002), 30 days (p=0.0001), and one year (p=0.0002) time periods. CONCLUSION: Mortality rates following surgery for fractured NOF have significantly improved over recent years at Waitemata District Health Board. Reduced time-to-theatre is associated with decreased inpatient, 30-day and one-year mortality.
