Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Hip Fracture Patients During the First Lockdown of COVID-19, Lessons Learnt: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis.

BACKGROUND:The management of hip fracture patients has been challenging across the UK in the wake of emergency coronavirus disease 2019 guidelines.AIMS:This retrospective, observational cohort study analyses the impact of the first lockdown during the early part of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on the management of hip fracture patients at a district general hospital in the UK.METHODS:Comparative analysis to assess hip fracture patients treated at this Trust between 1 April to 31 May 2019 and 1 April to 31 May 2020 was undertaken. The primary outcome measures appraised were 30 and 60-day mortality and the secondary outcome measure included time to surgery.RESULTS:There was a higher 30 and 60-day mortality rate in the first lockdown period at 8.1% and 13.5%, respectively, compared to 1.96% and 5.88% in 2019. A significantly lower proportion of hip fracture patients at 59.46% were operated within the 36h target time frame during the first lockdown.CONCLUSION:In our Trust, hip fractures were treated as obligatory injuries. However, the mortality was higher in the 2020 cohort with a significant reduction in patients achieving the recommended '36 hours' time to surgery target and accruement of Best Practice Tariff. Enhanced infection control strategies have prepared us for the future.