THE ADDED EFFECTIVENESS OF EARLY GERIATRICIAN INVOLVEMENT ON ACUTE ORTHOPEDIC WARDS TO ORTHOGERIATRIC REHABILITATION

Aims. To evaluate the effect of regular input by a geriatrician to an orthopaedic ward. Method. A geriatrician saw all patients aged over 65 years admitted to an acute orthopaedic ward - this was compared to an adjacent orthopaedic ward which had a consultation only service, and also to both wards in the preceding year. All subjects over the age of 65 years with fractured neck. of femur admitted over a 4 month period were enroled. Main outcome measures were length of stay, cost, discha rge destination. Results. In the year prior to study, patients in both wards had a mean total stay of 28 days. On the intervention ward the mean stay was reduced to 20.7 days, and on the control ward to 27 days . The cost per case on the intervention ward was NZ$9400, and on the c ontrol ward was NZ$11 500. Eleven percent went to a higher care level on the intervention ward, compared with 23% on the control ward. Concl usion, Geriatrician input on a twice weekly basis to all patients over 65 years of age on an orthopaedic ward, saves bed days, reduces costs and produces an improved outcome.