Geriatric Trauma

Description

• Geriatric-specific considerations and approach to the elderly trauma patient, generally age >65
• Should be used in conjunction with the accepted standard treatment of traumatic injuries (see “Trauma, Multiple”)
• Advanced age is a known risk factor for adverse outcomes following trauma
• Overall frailty and comorbid illnesses decrease physiologic reserve and result in poorer outcomes
• Advances in the management of chronic diseases have resulted in more active lifestyles in elderly individuals predisposing them to injury

Etiology

• Trauma is the fifth leading cause of death in the elderly
• Elderly are more susceptible to serious injury from low-energy mechanisms

• Falls – most common cause, often occurs on an even, flat surface and frequently recurrent within 1 yr
• Motor vehicle crashes – second leading cause, most common fatal etiology
• Pedestrian – motor vehicle collisions, diminished cognitive skills, poor vision/hearing, impaired gait contribute to increased incidence
• Burns – higher fatality rate than young adults with same extent of burn
• Violence – less common mechanism than in younger ages, have heightened suspicion for elderly abuse, an under recognized issue