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Abstract

With people living longer and able to undertake more activities, any professional involved in trauma care will inevitably be exposed to older victims of trauma. Increasing numbers of older people are admitted to trauma units, presenting the healthcare professional with challenges including altered physiology, polypharmacy and ethical considerations which may lead to diagnostic and treatment dilemmas. Rib fractures for example are associated with significant morbidity and mortality and optimising analgesia may improve outcomes. There are conflicting views over co-morbidities being associated with mortality, but mortality in UK intensive care units appears to be high in elderly trauma victims. The EAST guidelines provide a thorough management strategy of elderly trauma victims. Old age should not be a sole criterion for limiting or withholding care in trauma patients.

Keywords

elderly trauma intensive care rib fractures mortality management

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Major trauma in the elderly

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