Citation

Hopkins CL, Youngquist ST, Johnson E, Madsen T. Am. J. Emerg. Med. 2011; 29(5): 528-533.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ajem.2009.12.013

PMID

20825825

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study examined hospital outcomes in elderly patients injured at winter resorts. METHODS: The study included patients age 12 and over who presented to a regional trauma center with an acute injury sustained at a winter resort. Injury information was prospectively obtained using a questionnaire. Emergency department and hospital data were obtained from trauma registry and hospital records. RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-three patients presented during the study period (67 were ≥65 years). Elderly patients were more likely to have a preexisting health condition (31% vs 4%, P < .05), undergo hospital admission (76% vs 56%, P < .05), have longer hospital length of stay (P < .05), and have lower injury severity (P < .05). Both groups had a similar proportion of predefined in-hospital complications and comparable hospital discharge outcomes. CONCLUSION: Active elderly patients injured at winter resorts had higher inpatient admission rates and longer hospital length of stay when compared with a younger cohort, despite lower injury severity scores and comparable discharge outcomes.

Language: en