Outcome of elderly patients injured at winter resorts.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hopkins
Christy L
CL
Department of Surgery, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. christy.mccowan@hsc.utah.edu
Youngquist
Scott T
ST
Johnson
Eliza
E
Madsen
Troy
T
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult