Characteristics and outcomes of injury-related ED visits among older adults.
OBJECTIVE
The objectives of this study were to examine the epidemiology of injury among older adults treated in emergency departments (EDs) and to explore the effect of advanced age and nursing home residence on associated outcomes.


METHODS
A secondary data analysis of a nationally representative sample from the National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey was conducted using available sampling weights and data from the US Census Bureau. Weighted multivariate logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with injury outcomes, including hospitalization and receipt of potentially inappropriate medications.


RESULTS
Nearly 21 million injury-related ED patient visits were made by older adults during the study period. Nearly 10% of episodes were identified as adverse events, which increased hospitalization risk 3-fold. Potentially inappropriate medications were provided during nearly 12% of encounters.


CONCLUSIONS
Injury reductions among elders could be achieved by reducing adverse events, whereas quality could be improved by reducing potentially inappropriate medication use in the ED.
Carter
Mary W
MW
Center on Aging, West Virginia University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 9127, Morgantown, WV 26506-9127, USA. mcarter@hsc.wvu.edu
Gupta
Shalini
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*