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Objective Optimal utilisation of theatre time increases efficiency and reduces the cost of health care. The accuracy of surgical time estimation between different members of the theatre team has not been well documented, and may aid in more efficient utilisation of available theatre time. This study aims to identify the cohort of theatre staff with greatest accuracy in estimating orthopaedic surgical time. Methods This study was conducted in a prospective fashion using consecutive orthopaedic trauma and elective operative lists over a period of 3 months. Prior to each operating list, a senior member of each of the anaesthetic, orthopaedic and scrub/scout nursing teams predicted the surgical duration for orthopaedic procedures after being provided with information regarding the individual cases. The absolute difference between estimated and actual surgical times was calculated. Results When expressed as a percentage difference from true surgical time, the orthopaedic team provided the most accurate estimates, with a mean difference of 33.0%. This was followed by nursing staff (40.5%) and anaesthetics (50.9%). Similarly, a higher proportion of estimates by the orthopaedic team were within the limits of 20% underestimation and 10% overestimation (deemed clinically significant). Conclusions Surgical times for orthopaedic trauma and elective cases are most accurately estimated by the operating team. These estimates should be implemented when planning theatre utilisation, and may benefit computer algorithms for theatre scheduling.

BACKGROUND The geography of rural Australia poses a myriad of logistical dilemmas, including the provision of timely access to emergency orthopaedic hip fracture surgery. Current guidelines support surgery within 48 h, and delays to transfer to a referral hospital may result in worse outcomes and increase mortality rates. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of transfer delays on the clinical outcomes of hip fractures in a rural setting. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 265 hip fracture patients who underwent surgical management between 2013 and 2015 at a rural referral hospital. Factors such as age, time to surgery, delay to surgery, preoperative clinical deterioration, preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram, American Society of Anesthesiologists class and 30-day and 1-year mortality rates were examined. Unadjusted odds ratios were calculated for statistically significant primary and secondary outcomes. RESULTS The mean delay to transfer was 19.9 h. Patients were 6.76 times more likely to undergo surgery within 48 h if they presented to the referral hospital first. Surgery within 48 h was more likely in those who presented to the referral hospital first, had no preoperative transthoracic echocardiogram and did not experience a preoperative clinical deterioration. The 30-day mortality rates were significantly higher in those who had surgery after 48 h or underwent a preoperative clinical deterioration. CONCLUSION Increased time to hip fracture surgery was associated with increased mortality rates. Transfer delays from a peripheral hospital had a significant bearing on time to surgery. Early transfer to a referral hospital is recommended.