Four days delay in diagnosing hip fracture

What happened

Mr C went to A&E after falling at home and was admitted with a possible hip fracture. The X–rays taken were inconclusive and it was only when a CT scan was done three days later that a fracture was confirmed. Mr C then had surgery to replace his hip.

What we found

The X–rays taken on admission were inadequate to show whether Mr C had fractured his hip, and more X–rays should have been taken at the time. The request for a CT scan could also have been made sooner, which would have avoided the delay in diagnosing and treating Mr C's hip fracture.

Putting it right

During the course of its own investigation the Trust revised and improved its procedure and timescale for managing hip fractures, and this is in line with guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Orthopaedic Association. Following our investigation the Trust agreed to write to Mrs C with an acknowledgement and apology for the delay in diagnosing Mr C's hip fracture. The Trust paid £500 compensation for the pain and distress caused to Mr C by the delay.