Blood transfusions and hip fracture mortality - A retrospective cohort study

Hip fractures are associated with serious morbidity and mortality. Low haemoglobin at presentation has been shown to be associated with increased mortality in hip fracture patients. This comorbid patient group commonly receives packed red cell blood transfusions during their hospital admission, the impact of which is less clear. We aim to assess the rate, appropriateness and impact of blood transfusions on one-year mortality in hip fracture patients. We also aim to assess the impact of patients taking anticoagulant medications at presentation on the rates of blood transfusions in this patient group. A retrospective cohort study of 324 consecutive hip fracture patients. Data was collected from the national hip fracture database, electronic patient records and PACS. 75 patients received a blood transfusion. Receiving a blood transfusion increased absolute risk of one-year mortality by 2.466 (p