Prospective randomised study of an orthopaedic geriatric inpatient service
Gilchrist, W.J.; Newman, R.J.; Hamblen, D.L.; Williams, B.O.
Bmj 297(6656): 1116-1118
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0959-8138 PMID: 3143450 Document Number: 309944
A randomised controlled trial of two management regimen was carried out in women patients over 65 years of age with hip fractures. Ninety seven patients were admitted to a designated orthopaedic geriatric unit and 125 to orthopaedic wards. No difference was observed in mortality, length of stay, or placement of patients between the two groups. More medical conditions were recongnised and treated in patients in the orthopaedic geriatric unit group. It is concluded that designated orthopaedic geriatric units can provide medical care to these patients and hsould be administered without additional cost.