Older people are at high risk for falls that result in traumatic injury and are most likely to die from these fall-related injuries. With the projected worldwide growth of this population, health care providers can expect an increasing number of older patients presenting in an array of settings. This study focuses on one of the most utilized of these care settings for injuries related to falls -- the hospital emergency department (ED). It involves a retrospective ED chart review to identify the demographic characteristics of those older people injured in falls, circumstances surrounding the falls, subsequent evaluation and treatment patterns, referral services, and disposition after ED discharge. The study takes place at the Hospital of Saint Raphael, an inner city community/teaching Level II Trauma Center. Study subjects are patients 65 years and older who were evaluated in the ED between April 1 and September 30, 2000 following a fall. Findings from this study address the need for systematic review of older patients who present to the ED with fall-related injuries. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to identify older patients at high risk for sustaining a fall related injury; appreciate the potentially serious health consequences attributable to injuries due to falls; identify the potential increase of burden on health care professionals who treat older people; and utilize this information to develop fall prevention strategies for use in emergency departments and other health care settings.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Recognize the potential serious health consequences of falls in the older adults population. 2. Quantify the projected growth of this population worldwide and the potential increase of burden on health care professionals who treat injuries due to falls in the elderly. 3. Define fall and characterize the events preceding a fall in this special population. 4. Identify patients at high risk for falling and sustaining injuries. 5. Recognize the necessity for interventions to prevent falls in this specific population. 6. Assess the level and appropriateness of evaluation of older adults fallers in an emergency department setting. 7. Utilize this information to develop fall prevention interventions for use in emergency departments and other medical care settings.
Keywords: Injury Risk, Elderly
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.