title: 'Hospital-at-Night' expedites review of trauma patients without affecting outcome from hip fracture.
abstract: The UK Hospital at Night (H@N) programme is hypothesised to improve efficiency of out-of-hours care. No studies have assessed a surgical programme or mechanisms of effect. This prospective study aimed to do so in a trauma and orthopaedic department over 10 weeks. Senior house officers recorded night shift activity. Mean time to attend referrals reduced from 29 to 15 minutes as a result of the programme (p = 0.007). Workload and 30 day mortality and morbidity for hip fracture remained unchanged. The mechanisms underlying improvements are unclear, but may represent central organisation of workload.
authors: Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, RG1 5RN. johnfindlay@doctors.org.uk
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Findlay
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Boulton
authors: Daren
authors: D
authors: Forward
authors: Christopher
authors: C
authors: Moran
mesh_terms: D039602:After-Hours Care; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D006113:United Kingdom; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology