Emergency department management of hip fractures: Development of an evidence-based clinical guideline by literature review and consensus

The Emergency Department at Dandenong Hospital has recently developed an evidence-based clinical guideline for the emergency department management of hip fractures. This paper will comment on the role of clinical guidelines in the emergency department, discuss the process of the development of evidence-based guidelines for the care of hip fractures and present the evidence found during the development process. Evidence-based recommendations for practice are made regarding pulse oximetry and supplemental oxygen, preoperative use of skin traction, thromboembolism prophylaxis, pain management including the use of nerve blocks, pressure area care, the use of indwelling urinary catheters and time to surgical repair.