Notaufnahmevorstellungen von älteren Menschen mit Sturz

Demographic change leads to increased use of the healthcare system by older people. Falls are one of the most common reasons for people over 65 years being admitted to a hospital.

The aim of the study is to assess the characteristics of older people who present to the emergency department after a fall and to analyze the consecutive stay.

A secondary data analysis of routine data from a tertiary care hospital was performed over a period of one year (January to December 2022). All patients aged 65 years and older who presented to the emergency department with a fall were included in the analysis.

In 2022, 18,839 people aged 65 and over were treated in the emergency department, 16% of them due to a fall. The study cohort was more likely to be female (63%), and 42% of patients were aged older 85 years. Only 36% of patients were admitted as inpatients and those who arrived by ambulance were significantly more likely to remain in hospital. A trauma-related diagnosis was present in 43% of patients. Surgery was performed in 15%, most commonly on the lower extremities.

Falls are a relevant reason for presentation in emergency departments for older people, and there is often no traumatological indication for treatment. There is a high proportion of outpatients for whom it remains unclear whether and how further treatment was organized. Further research is needed to optimize the potential for improved treatment processes, especially for outpatients.