Geriatric Hospitalizations Due to Fall-Related Injuries
Panita Limpawattana MD*, Sumitr Sutra MD**, Yupa Thavornpitak MSc***, Jarin Chindaprasirt MD****, Pisaln Mairieng MD*****
Affiliation : * Division of Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand *** Department of Biostatistics and Demography, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand **** Division of Oncology, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ***** Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : Fall is a preventable condition associated with disability and mortality in elders. The overall data regarding
admission rates and its impact in Thai elderly are lacking.
Objective : To identify admission, mortality rates of older persons with fall, its causes and consequences.
Material and Method: Information on illness of inpatients and casualties came from hospitals nationwide and from hospital
withdrawals from the 3 health insurance schemes in fiscal 2010. The data included 96% of the population. The data were
analyzed by age groups in older patients with fall.
Results : There were 311,132 falls of all admissions; accounting for admission and mortality rates of 423.4 and11.1/100,000
older persons. The number rose with age. Slipping, tripping were the major causes. The average length of stay (LOS) of
fallers with and without fractures was 8.1 and 6.4 days.The average hospital costs in these same groups were 25,728 and
19,419.3 Baht.
Conclusion : The increasing age is related to an increased admission and mortality rates of fall. Slipping, tripping was the
frequent causes.Greater LOS and hospital charges were found in fallers with fractures.Allied-healthcare workers should
routinely implement a fall assessment and educate modifiable factors to elders to prevent future fall.
Keywords : Falls, Clinical epidemiology, Elderly
