Analysis Of Forensic Geriatric Patients Admitted to Emergency Department

Abstract

Objective: Today, geriatric individuals are experiencing more health problems due to physiopathology changes caused by old age. In this study, demographic properties and diagnosis and treatment process in emergency service of geriatric cases who were admitted to emergency service and filed judicial report.Methods: In four years (2013-2016), 65 years and older who applied to the emergency department of a university hospital and the data of 737 patients whose forensic reports were prepared were investigated. Data of this study were obtained from patient files and automation system records. Socio-demographical properties (age, gender), reason to admit to emergency service, trauma type, duration of treatment in emergency service, type of treatment outcome, and department of admittance were investigated.Results: Average age of 737 cases were 73.70±7.54 (Female/Male,309/428). 84% of the cases had come to the service with trauma, and the most common reason for trauma was fall (45.4%). Highest number of the cases were observed in summer and autumn. Most common pathology in the cases was fracture (37.3%). 38% of the cases were admitted to related clinics, 5.6% of the cases died, and 56.4% of the cases had outpatient treatment.Conclusion: In this study, the most common cause of forensic reports in elderly patients admitted to the emergency department was trauma caused by falls (street or home) and the resulting fracture.