Economic consequences of operative delay for hip fractures in a non-profit institution.

This retrospective study evaluated the economic consequences of delaying hip fracture surgery in 191 elderly patients. Data was collected regarding fracture type, surgery, timing of surgery, background diseases, postoperative hospital stay, and complications. In addition, calculation of the drugs administered to the patients, cost of the surgery, blood transfusion, physiotherapy, laboratory examinations, radiographs, and any financial data were evaluated. Spending more resources for performing hip surgery within 48 hours is more cost-effective than delaying surgery past the third day.