Combined orthogeriatric care in the management of hip fractures: a prospective study

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of combined care between orthopaedic surgeons and geriatricians in the management of patients with fractured necks of femur.

Patients and methods: A prospective study of the admissions to a district general hospital with hip fractures was carried out over a 5-year period. In the years 1992-1994, medical problems in this patient group were managed by a consultation-only service. At the end of 1994, a consultant geriatrician was appointed to manage these patients jointly with the orthopaedic surgeons, and the study was then carried through until the end of 1996. Information about the patients from admission to discharge or death was gathered prospectively using a proforma for the 3 years prior to orthogeriatric care, and the 2 years after. Main outcome measures were mortality, length of stay and discharge destination. These were compared for the two periods--pre- and post-orthogeriatric care.

Results: No significant differences were noted in mortality, length of stay or discharge destination.

Conclusions: Combined orthogeriatric care according to our model did not have an impact on our chosen outcome measures.