Emergency department recidivism in adults older than 65 years treated for fractures.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Fractures in older adults are a commonly diagnosed injury in the emergency department (ED). We performed a retrospective medical record review to determine the rate of return to the same ED within 72 hours (returns) and the risk factors associated with returning.

Methods

A retrospective medical record review of patients at least 65 years old discharged from a large, academic ED with a new diagnosis of upper extremity, lower extremity, or rib fractures was performed. Risk factors analyzed included demographic data, type of fracture, analgesic prescriptions, assistive devices provided, other concurrent injuries, and comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index). Our primary outcome was return to the ED within 72 hours.

Results

Three hundred fifteen patients qual

SUBMITTER: Southerland LT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4160107 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature