The "Sheba" model of comprehensive orthogeriatric care for elderly hip fracture patients: a preliminary report.
BACKGROUND
The progressive increase in the number of elderly patients with hip fractures and the particular multidisciplinary needs of this population call for the investigation of other models of orthogeriatric care.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the nature and assess the feasibility of a comprehensive orthogeriatric unit attending to patients' surgical, medical and rehabilitation needs in a single setting.


METHODS
This retrospective chart review describes consecutive older patients with hip fractures admitted directly from the emergency ward to an orthogeriatric ward.


RESULTS
The mean age of the 116 patients evaluated was 82.4 years. Delay to surgery was 3.6 +/- 3.1 days and total length of stay 23.9 +/- 11.0 days. No patient was transferred to other acute medical wards of the hospital and 66.4% were able to return to their previous living place. Rates of major complications and mortality were extremely low.


CONCLUSIONS
The present model of a comprehensive orthogeriatric ward is a practical, applicable and feasible service for elderly hip fracture patients and can cover the various needs of these patients. The deployment arrangements needed to establish and operate the ward were minimal and there were only a few management and organizational problems. The cost-effectiveness and other comparative benefits of this type of service have yet to be clarified.
Adunsky
Abraham
A
Department of Geriatric Rehabilitation, Sheba Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel. eadunsky@hotmail.com
Levi
Rami
R
Cecic
Aharon
A
Arad
Marina
M
Noy
Shlomo
S
Barell
Vita
V
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies