Older adult falls at a metropolitan airport: 2009-2010.
BACKGROUND
We investigated falls at a metropolitan airport to determine fall incidence, identify potential causes of these falls, and suggest opportunities for mitigation.


METHODS
We used deidentified incident reports of all falls requiring EMS response that occurred at the airport during 2009 and 2010.


RESULTS
On average, one fall occurred every 2.3days. Ninety-six percent (96%) of falls occurred in terminals. Of all falls, 44% occurred on escalators, making escalators the most common location. Seventy-two percent (72%) of fallers were females; 43% were ≥65years; 92% of all falls resulted in a documented injury; 37% of falls resulted in transport to hospital emergency departments. Escalator fall risks include carrying bags (due to changes in baggage fees), using cells phones, not using handrails, and compromised strength and balance.


CONCLUSIONS
Diverting at-risk passengers to elevators could significantly reduce the overall falls. Interventions targeting escalator falls have the greatest promise for reducing falls at this airport.
Boston Medical Center Injury Prevention Center, One Boston Medical Center Place, Boston, MA 02118, USA. Jhowl@bu.edu
Jonathan
J
Howland
Salma
S
Bibi
James
J
English
Sophia
S
Dyer
Elizabeth W
EW
Peterson
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D059028:Airports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004607:Elevators and Escalators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult