What initial investigations should be performed in a patient suspected of having a hip fracture?

Initial investigations for a patient suspected of having a hip fracture include:

• Performing an urgent X-ray of the hip to confirm the diagnosis and assess the fracture type.
• Assessing for other injuries or complications, including vascular injury, by clinical examination and considering further imaging if indicated.
• Documenting the nature of the fracture, including classification where possible, to guide management.
• Ensuring all patient documentation, including images and reports, accompanies the patient if transferred to another department or centre.

Additional investigations may include blood tests to assess for underlying causes or complications, but the primary initial investigation is imaging, specifically X-ray.