[The effectiveness of geriatric interconsultation in elderly patients admitted to traumatology].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of inpatient geriatric consultation in elderly orthopedic patients.


METHODS
Before-after intervention trial.


METHODS
Tertiary care university hospital in Madrid (Spain).


METHODS
All patients older than 64 years admitted to the orthopedic department during one year before (481 patients) and six months after (283 patients) the establishment of geriatric consultation.


METHODS
A geriatric consultation team (attending physician and fellow) evaluated, and actively treated when appropriate, most of the patients; follow-up ensued when need until clinical stability or death.


METHODS
In-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay and transfers to other departments.


RESULTS
There was no difference in sex (percent males 23% vs 24%), age (79.2 vs 79.1 years), or length of stay (27.7 vs 26.3 days). Lower in-hospital mortality (9.36% vs 4.95%, p = 0.017) and more transfers to other departments (4.99% vs 12.37%, p = 0.0007) occurred in the study group.


CONCLUSIONS
This model of geriatric consultation achieved a lower mortality in orthopedic elderly patients. Length of stay did not change, but there was a higher rate of transfers to other departments. Further controlled studies are needed.
Cruz Jentoft
A J
AJ
Servicio de Geriatría, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, Madrid.
Serra Rexach
J A
JA
Lázaro del Nogal
M
M
Gil Gregorio
P
P
Ribera Casado
J M
JM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology
La eficacia de la interconsulta geriátrica en pacientes ancianos ingresados en traumatología.