Geriatric Trauma
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Basics
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
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Basics
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
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