Pearson 1988a.

Methods	Study design: RCT Unit of allocation: Patient Unit of analysis: Patient Power calculation: Not done Concealment*: Done. Randomisation from opaque sealed envelopes opened after consent Follow‐up*: 82% to 6 months Blinded assessment*: Done for length of stay and discharge destination. Not done for functional status. Baseline*: Reported a difference in frequency using stairs before admission ‐ direction and magnitude not specified. Reliable outcomes*: Done for length of stay and discharge destination. Not clear for functional status. Contamination*. Unlikely ‐ control patients not exposed to NLU Intention to treat analysis*: Unclear
Participants	Patients post internal fixation of hip fracture assessed as being medically stable and having a remediable nursing need. Patients aged 60+ transfered after average 9.8 days acute stay (treatment group) 25 Control mean age 80, 88% female 45 Treatment mean age 81, 84% female
Interventions	Unit / setting: 9 bedded cottage hospital in rural setting Care management: Senior nurse assessed patients, primary nurse planned and managed care Nursing Team: Approximately 9 whole time equivalent qualified nurses + 2 nursing assistants MD team: Social worker, physiotherapist and Dr available on referral in advisory capacity Education / preparation for staff: An extensive staff development programme (over 6 months) prior to changing to nurse‐led care Other: Removal of routine for patients day, informal atmosphere, nurses wore ordinary clothes. Control: Usual care in medically managed acute wards and community hospitals
Outcomes	Length of stay Mortality Dependency Life satisfaction Nursing care quality Cost of nursing staff
Notes	Quality score 3/7
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Low risk	A ‐ Adequate