[Timely initiation of hip fracture surgery]

A recent retrospective study in the Netherlands found no significant association between delayed hip fracture surgery and the occurrence of complications. This argues against the use of the Dutch hospital quality indicator measuring the percentage of patients with hip fracture operated within 24 to 48 hours. However, much larger international prospective studies have shown that delaying surgery results in prolonged duration of pain and hospitalisation and increased rate of complications. There is no evidence that delaying surgery is beneficial for the patient. Therefore, the current Dutch hospital quality indicator for timely initiation of treatment for hip fractures should remain unchanged in the interest of this fragile patient group.