title: Outcomes in elderly fall victims: what happens after hospital discharge?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Falls are the leading cause of trauma-related death in the elderly, but postdischarge outcomes' data are lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate 12-month postdischarge mortality and causes of death.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted of patients 65 years and older admitted for a fall and discharged alive. Data collection included demographics, injury characteristics, hospitalization details, and outcomes. A state death database and hospital records were queried to identify patients who died within 12 months of hospital discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 347 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 74 (21.3%) died within 12 months postdischarge. These patients were older than those who survived (83.4 vs 79.1 years, P < .001). Most injury patterns were not predictive of postdischarge death, whereas several comorbidities were more common in those who died. Death was fall-related in 13 of 74 (17.6%) who died.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Injury characteristics do not predict postdischarge mortality. However, pre-existing comorbidities, including advanced age were predictive of postdischarge mortality. Further study is needed to determine whether a focus on medical optimization can reduce 1-year postdischarge death.
authors: Department of Surgery, The University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita, 929 N. Saint Francis St., Room 3082, Wichita, KS 67214, USA.
authors: Lance M
authors: LM
authors: Larson
authors: Department of Surgery, The University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita, 929 N. Saint Francis St., Room 3082, Wichita, KS 67214, USA.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Sliter
authors: Department of Surgery, The University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita, 929 N. Saint Francis St., Room 3082, Wichita, KS 67214, USA.
authors: Stephen D
authors: SD
authors: Helmer
authors: Department of Surgery, The University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita, 929 N. Saint Francis St., Room 3082, Wichita, KS 67214, USA.
authors: Jared
authors: J
authors: Reyes
authors: Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Topeka, KS, USA.
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Crawford
authors: Department of Surgery, The University of Kansas School of Medicine - Wichita, 929 N. Saint Francis St., Room 3082, Wichita, KS 67214, USA; Department of Trauma Services, Via Christi Hospital Saint Francis, 929 N. Saint Francis St., Room 3082, Wichita, KS 67214, USA. Electronic address: James.Haan.Research@viachristi.org.
authors: James M
authors: JM
authors: Haan
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: Elderly fall; Mortality; Postdischarge