Transcript Geriatric Trauma

Geriatric Trauma
Temple College
EMS Professions
Trauma
 Increased
injury risk
Falls
Criminal
acts
Head Injury
 More
prone, even from minor trauma
 Increased ICP signs develop slowly
 Patient may have forgotten injury
Cervical Injury
 Osteoporosis
 Increased
 Arthritic
injury risk with trivial accidents
changes
 Narrow
spinal canal
 Increased injury risk
 Sudden movement may cause cord injury
without fracture
 Decreased
pain sensation may mask
pain of fracture
Respiratory System
 Aging
decreases chest movement,
ventilation capacity
 Respiratory reserve decreases
 Organs have less tolerance of anoxia
Respiratory System
 COPD
may be present
 Positive
pressure ventilation may cause
pneumothorax
 Hypoperfusion may cause severe tissue
hypoxia
Cardiovascular System
 Decreased
 Move
cardiovascular reserve
to decompensated, irreversible
shock very rapidly
 Tolerate hypoperfusion poorly, even for a
short periods
Cardiovascular System
 Hypoperfusion
may:
 Occur
at “normotensive” pressures
 Lead to CVA, MI, bowel infarcts, renal failure, adult
respiratory distress syndrome
 Cardiac,
BP medications (beta blockers)
may mask signs of shock
Musculoskeletal System
 Positioning/packaging
may have to
be modified to accommodate
physical deformities
 Ask about preexisting conditions
when splinting, packaging
Environmental Emergencies
 Tolerate
temperature extremes poorly
 Develop hypo/hyperthermia rapidly