@article{ref1,
title="Outcomes in elderly fall victims: what happens after hospital discharge?",
journal="American journal of surgery",
year="2016",
author="Larson, Lance M. and Sliter, Robert and Helmer, Stephen D. and Reyes, Jared and Crawford, Greg and Haan, James M.",
volume="212",
number="6",
pages="1106-1114",
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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<br><br>Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0002-9610",
doi="10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.09.009",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amjsurg.2016.09.009"
}