Citation

Dugan JP, Burns KM, Baldawi M, Heidt DG. Am. J. Surg. 2017; 214(6): 1048-1052.

Affiliation

University of Toledo Medical Center, Department of Surgery, Dowling Hall 2128, 3000 Arlington Ave, Toledo, OH 43614, USA. Electronic address: David.Heidt@utoledo.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.09.001

PMID

29017731

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The elderly account for a large proportion of morbidity and mortality secondary to trauma, despite lower-energy mechanisms of injury and fewer trauma admissions. The benefit of geriatric trauma consultation services (GTCS) to this population remains unclear.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of a GTCS, which was established in January 2015. Patients over 60 admitted to the trauma service from January of 2014 to February 2016 were eligible.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences in 30-day and in-hospital mortalities, mean ICU and total lengths of stay, or complication rates. However, if a single complication was experienced, post-GTCS patients were nearly three times more likely to experience multiple complications. More patients in the GTCS group were discharged home, but were readmitted four times more often.

CONCLUSIONS: A mandatory GTCS was not associated with improved patient outcomes, suggesting that management exclusively by the trauma team is at least equally effective in treatment of geriatric trauma.

Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

Elderly trauma; Geriatric consultations; Outcomes