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Faster Time to Operative Fixation and Mobilization Decreases Morbidity and Mortality in Hip Fracture Patients

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent study published in the journal Injury investigated the impact of floor of admission on time to surgical fixation and mobilization after hip fracture surgery. Researchers from Tufts Medical Center analyzed data from 781 patients over the age of 50 who underwent hip fracture surgery between January 2011 and January 2021. The study found that patients admitted to nonsurgical floors had a significantly longer time to surgery and mobilization compared to patients who were admitted to surgical floors.

Key Takeaways:

  • Patients admitted to nonsurgical floors had a significantly longer time to surgery (28 vs. 22 hours, p = 0.003).
  • Time from surgery to mobilization was significantly shorter for patients on surgical floors (53 vs. 63 hours, p = 0.01).
  • There was no difference in time to evaluation by physical therapy across patient races or language spoken.
  • Patients admitted to non-surgical floors had a significantly longer time to surgery and mobilization compared to patients who were admitted to surgical floors.
  • Factors such as medical comorbidities, staff training, and resource availability likely contribute to the significant difference in time to mobilization.
  • Race and language did not play a role in delaying time to the operating room or mobilization with physical therapy.

Statistics:

  • 781 patients over the age of 50 were included in the analysis.
  • 56% of patients were admitted to surgical floors, while 44% were admitted to nonsurgical floors.
  • The median time from diagnosis to surgery was 22 hours for patients on surgical floors and 28 hours for patients on nonsurgical floors.
  • The median time from surgery to mobilization was 53 hours for patients on surgical floors and 63 hours for patients on nonsurgical floors.

Sources:

  • Factors affecting time to surgery and mobilization following hip fracture. Injury, 2025;56(11):112726.
  • NewsRx. Reports from Tufts Medical Center Add New Data to Findings in Hip Fracture (Factors affecting time to surgery and mobilization following hip fracture). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 1397.

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