Citation

Siracuse JJ, Odell DD, Gondek SP, Odom SR, Kasper EM, Hauser CJ, Moorman DW. Am. J. Surg. 2012; 203(3): 335-8; discussion 338.

Affiliation

Division of Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amjsurg.2011.09.018

PMID

22257741

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Elderly falls are associated with long hospital stays, major morbidity, and mortality. We sought to examine the fate of patients ≥75 years of age admitted after falls. METHODS: We reviewed all fall admissions in 2008. Causes, comorbidities, injuries, procedures, mortality, readmission, and costs were analyzed. RESULTS: Seven hundred eight patients ≥75 years old were admitted after a fall, with 89% being simple falls. Short-term mortality was 6%. Male sex, atrial fibrillation, acute myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure (CHF), intracranial hemorrhage, hospital-acquired pneumonia, trigger events, Clostridium difficile, and intubation were predictors of death (P < .05). Thirty-day readmission occurred in 14%; CHF, craniotomy, and acute renal failure were predictive. The median cost of hospitalization was $11,000 with cardiac disease, anemia, major orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures, pneumonia, and intubation as predictive. CONCLUSIONS: Simple falls in the elderly have high morbidity, mortality, and costs. Methodologies for prevention are warranted and should be studied intensively.

Language: en