Injuries in the elderly: evaluation and initial response.
The injured elderly patient presents a special challenge to the treating physician; there tends to be less margin for error than in younger patients and a greater chance that mortality will result. Beyond the general need for rapid assessment of an often complicated situation, there are specific evaluative and therapeutic techniques, system-by-system and organ-by-organ, that can help expedite the patient's recovery. Guidelines for ICU admission and possible withholding of care are also suggested.
Division of Trauma, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque.
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GB
Demarest
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TM
Osler
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Clevenger
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000401:mortality; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000628:therapy; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*