Hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture in the elderly - Surgeon and hospital volume-related outcomes

The elderly patient with a displaced femoral neck fracture is commonly treated via hemiarthroplasty. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine the rates of in-hospital mortality, complications, and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in such patients; 2) elucidate the patient characteristics that predict these occurrences; and 3) investigate the influence of surgeon and hospital volumes on these outcomes. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 173,508 cases of hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture were identified in patients >= 65 years of age. Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that hospitals with low caseload volumes were associated with increased patient risk for prolonged LOS, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia. Surgeons with low caseload volumes were associated with increased risk for mortality and prolonged LOS. Quality-improvement initiatives would benefit from consideration of these factors. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.