Improving patient flow: the impact of consultant work pattern on trauma ward efficiency.

Objective: To determine the effect on trauma ward efficiency of altering consultant shift patterns.

Design: Outcome measures were compared for neck of femur fracture patients before and after the consultant rota changed (Feb 2007) from a single day on-call to a full week on-call.

Setting: Patients admitted to Stirling Royal Infirmary with neck of femur fractures.