More Than 2 Million ED Visits for Elderly Fall-Related Injuries in 2006
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October 9, 2009 — More than 2 million Americans aged 65 years or older visited a hospital emergency department (ED) to receive treatment for fractures, head wounds, cuts, and other injuries in 2006, according to new data released October 7 by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
These visits to the ED cost hospitals approximately $7 billion for emergency care and hospital stays.
"Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among Americans aged 65 and older," according to an AHRQ news release. "The cost for medical treatment, which is paid mainly by Medicare, is expected to increase as the number of older Americans grows."
The AHRQ analysis found that 1 in 10 ED visits by seniors were related to injuries from falls, with a rise in visits as the age of patients increases.
The most common injuries associated with falls were fractures in 41% of patients (mainly of upper extremity or hip), open wounds in 21%, sprains and strains in 10%, injuries to internal organs in 5%, and dislocated joints in 1.5%.
Of those patients who had internal organ injuries or fractures from the falls, 63% and 51%, respectively, were admitted to the hospital.
However, 33% of those with internal injuries and 41% with fractures were sent to a long-term care facility.
These data are based on statistics from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, a new AHRQ database.
Emergency Department Visits for Injurious Falls Among the Elderly, 2006. Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Statistical Brief 80. October 2009. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, Maryland.
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