PURPOSE: To provide the orthopaedic nurse a summary of the significant research concerning the management of patients with a fractured hip. DESIGN: Meta-analysis. SAMPLE: 135 articles reviewed for possible inclusion, 57 original research reports and publications are reported. METHODS: For the years 1985 to March 1996 Medline, MEDLARS, and CINAHL data bases were searched. Twenty-seven search terms were used, including hip fractured, orthopedic standards, and length of stay. MAIN RESEARCH CLASSIFICATIONS: Preoperative, Operative and Postoperative. Studies arranged by author, outcomes, focus, data source and year, sample, and findings. FINDINGS: Research reports were found concerning: preoperative care including the use of MRI, predictors of complications and transfusion needs, and impact of skin traction on pain; operative studies including spinal anesthesia and oxygen saturation rates, use of blankets to keep patient warm, prophylactic antibiotic use, and impact of delaying surgery; and postoperative reports including the incidence of DVT, nutritional status, cauterization, management protocols, morbidity and mortality risks, length of stay, functional status, and ambulation. CONCLUSION: The scientific merit of each study was not evaluated in depth. With some degree of comfort the review did find one study or several studies to support the findings presented. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING RESEARCH: Current research concerning the impact of pressure sores, incontinence, management of falls risk, and the impact the fear of falling on postinjury patients are just a few of the topics not adequately addressed.

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