Guidelines or state civil codes in the management of femoral neck fracture? An analysis of the reality of care provision in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Introduction: This study analyzes healthcare management patterns in the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, with regard to time-to-surgery and operative technique in the management of femoral neck fracture.

Methods: Analysis of external quality assurance data relating to inpatient episodes of femoral neck fracture for North Rhine-Westphalia in the years 2004 and 2005. The study included data on 19 767 patients.