Aims and objectives: The aim of this integrative literature review is to identify themes associated with improved patient outcomes related to orthogeriatric co-managed inpatient unit models of care for patients who had sustained a hip fracture.

Approach: An integrative literature review was undertaken from 2002–July 2013 using electronic databases with specific search terms.

Methods: The theoretical framework of Whittemore and Knafl was used to guide the review. This framework was chosen as it allows for the inclusion of varied methodologies and has the capability to increase informed evidence-based nursing practice.

Results: Five distinct themes relating to outcomes emerged from the analysis, which were: time from admission to surgery; complications; length of stay; mortality and initiation of osteoporosis treatment.

Conclusion: The analysis of this integrative literature review clearly indicates the need for national and international sets of agreed outcome measures to be adopted to facilitate the comparison of models of care. This would significantly improve the way in which outcomes and costs are reported, further enhancing international partnerships as the health care team strive to achieve overall improvements in the management of older people presenting to hospital with hip fracture.