Geriatric Trauma Temple College EMS Professions

Trauma n Increased injury risk ä Falls ä Criminal acts

Head Injury n More prone, even from minor trauma n Increased ICP signs develop slowly n Patient may have forgotten injury

Cervical Injury n Osteoporosis ä Increased injury risk with trivial accidents n Arthritic changes ä Narrow spinal canal ä Increased injury risk ä Sudden movement may cause cord injury without fracture n Decreased pain sensation may mask pain of fracture

Respiratory System n Aging decreases chest movement, ventilation capacity n Respiratory reserve decreases n Organs have less tolerance of anoxia

Respiratory System n COPD may be present ä Positive pressure ventilation may cause pneumothorax ä Hypoperfusion may cause severe tissue hypoxia

Cardiovascular System n Decreased cardiovascular reserve ä Move to decompensated, irreversible shock very rapidly ä Tolerate hypoperfusion poorly, even for a short periods

Cardiovascular System n Hypoperfusion may: ä Occur at “normotensive” pressures ä Lead to CVA, MI, bowel infarcts, renal failure, adult respiratory distress syndrome n Cardiac, BP medications (beta blockers) may mask signs of shock

Musculoskeletal System n Positioning/packaging may have to be modified to accommodate physical deformities n Ask about preexisting conditions when splinting, packaging

Environmental Emergencies n Tolerate temperature extremes poorly n Develop hypo/hyperthermia rapidly