Citation

O'Connor P, Hackenschmidt A. J. Emerg. Nurs. 2008; 34(2): 177-179.

Affiliation

San Francisco General Hospital, California 94110, USA. (POConnor@sfghsurg.ucsf.edu)

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Emergency Nurses Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jen.2007.11.004

PMID

18358366

Abstract

There are more than 70,000 pedestrian-versus-auto victims every year. Persons aged 65 years and older have the worst outcomes, with a mortality rate of greater than 25%. They are more than 4 times more likely to die than are younger patients. The common pattern of injury that occurs when an adult is struck by a car consists of head, musculoskeletal, and torso injuries. There are 3 points of impact. First, the person is struck laterally, affecting the lower extremities. Then the person is thrown onto the hood of the car and possibly the windshield, with impact to the head and thorax. Finally, the person falls to the ground, again affecting the head, extremities, and possibly the pelvis.

Elderly persons are susceptible to being struck by motor vehicles because of anatomic and physiologic changes associated with aging. In addition, they have limited physiologic reserve and difficulty responding to injury.

Language: en