Experience of patients waiting for a hip or pelvic fracture surgery – a qualitative study

Background: In Swiss hospitals, patients are waiting for a hip fracture surgery due to a variety of reasons, despite the guidelines recommending a rapid surgical treatment. Quantitative studies show that long delays have a negative impact on the physical and psychological health. Caregivers are confronted directly with waiting patients. Often they feel insecure and helpless, because little is known about how patients experience their waiting period. Aim: In order to derive implications for nursing care, the study describes the experiences of patients with hip fracture while waiting for this specific surgery. Method: A qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews was chosen. The data were analysed with the open coding method by Saldaña. Results: Due to recruitment problems, patients with pelvic fracture were subsequently included. The participants – 33 to 89 year old – had an average waiting time of 68 hours. This condition has been perceived as a standstill and waste of time. Adequate information and attentive care, improved the confidence in the medical team and understanding of the situation, eased the waiting period, while physical and psychological distress such as pain, immobility or worries influenced it negatively. Under these circumstances, patients could hardly occupy themselves. They let time pass and appreciated distraction by their relatives. Conclusions: Consequently, reliable, consistent information and a compassionate, attentive care are core elements in caring for patients with delayed surgery.