Clinical pathway for fractured neck of femur: A prospective, controlled study

Abstract

Objective: To assess outcomes of using a clinical pathway for managing patients with fractured neck of femur. Design: Prospective, pseudorandomised, controlled trial. Setting: St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria (a tertiary referral, university teaching hospital), 1 October 1997 to 30 November 1998. Participants: 111 patients (80 women and 31 men; mean age, 81 years) admitted via the emergency department with a primary diagnosis of fractured neck of femur. Interventions: Management guided by a clinical pathway (55 patients) or established standard of care (control group, 56 patients). Main outcome measures: Timing of referrals and discharge planning; total length of stay; and complica..