Geriatric Trauma Management
Publication Date: November 20, 2023
Last Updated: November 22, 2023
Introduction and Acute Care
Overview
- Trauma in older adults is increasing, both in number of cases and as a proportion of the total trauma center volume.
- Unintentional injury is the seventh leading cause of death for older adults.
- The outcomes for older adult trauma patients are worse than for younger trauma patients; older age is an independent risk factor for mortality.
- Falls are the most common cause of injury in older adults and the leading cause of fatal injury.
- Suicide rates are highest among older adults when compared with other age groups.
Frailty and Comorbidities
Frailty
- Optimal trauma care of the older adult patient must factor in any comorbidities, geriatric-specific syndromes, and reduced physiologic reserve.
- Frailty syndrome involves decreased physiologic reserves across multiple organ systems, and it is associated with worse outcomes and increased mortality.
- In trauma patients, frailty is often more predictive of adverse outcomes than age.
- The Trauma-Specific Frailty Index (TSFI) is an effective, validated tool that can aid clinicians in identifying high risk patients and planning their care.
- Early assessment and identification of patients with frailty is essential to optimize their care by involving interprofessional teams and implementing focused management plans.
Title
Geriatric Trauma Management