Improving adjustments for older age in pre-hospital assessment and care.
Population estimates projects a significant increase in the geriatric population making elderly trauma patients more common. The geriatric trauma patients experience higher incidence of pre-existing medical conditions, impaired age-dependent physiologic reserve, use potent drugs and suffer from trauma system related shortcomings that influence outcomes. To improve adjustments for older age in pre-hospital assessment and care, several initiatives should be implemented. Decision-makers should make system revisions and introduce advanced point-of-care initiatives to improve outcome after trauma for the elderly.
Department of Research, Norwegian Air Ambulance Foundation, P. O. Box 94, Drøbak 1448, Norway. arius.rehn@norskluftambulanse.no
Marius
M
Rehn
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002423:Cause of Death; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009664:Norway; D019095:Point-of-Care Systems; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012307:Risk Factors; D014218:Triage / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries