Effects of a Hospitalist Model on Elderly Patients With Hip Fracture

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Abstract
Hip fractures in the elderly are a frequent, morbid, and expensive medical problem.1 In 1998, over 320 000 patients with hip fracture were admitted to US hospitals; persons over the age of 65 years accounted for 90% of those hospitalizations.2 Magaziner and colleagues3 estimate that 1 year after hip fracture the mortality rate is as high as 24%, only 40% of patients can independently perform their activities of daily living, and only 54% can walk unaided. In addition to the morbidity, the estimated cost of caring for hip fractures occurring in the United States each year exceeds $11 billion in 2002 dollars.4 Because of the projected increase in the numbers of elderly Americans, the number of hip fractures is expected to exceed 500 000 annually by the year 2040.5