Surgical outcomes of a randomized prospective trial involving patients with a proximal femoral fracture

Background: An orthopaedic management/patient-focused care unit (OMPFCU) in volving a dedicated orthopaedic-geriatrics liaison team was established at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1994 in an effort to safely accelerate rehab ilitation of patients with proximal femoral fractures. Methods: The surgical outcomes of the patients were monitored in order to d etermine whether accelerated rehabilitation had any significant adverse eff ects on the surgical outcomes, measured by mortality, readmission to hospit al, deep wound infection, fracture union delay, mobility and the revision s urgery rate. Results: No significant difference was recorded in mortality and morbidity, deep wound infection and revision surgery rates between patients in the Ro yal Brisbane Hospital OMPFCU and those in standard care in the orthopaedic surgery wards. Conclusion: Accelerated rehabilitation for patients with a proximal femoral fracture in a major teaching hospital can be accomplished safely.