Brief report
Community surveillance of falls among the elderly using computerized EMS transport data

https://doi.org/10.1016/0735-6757(94)90055-8Get rights and content

Abstract

Because falls are common among the elderly and are associated with high morbidity and mortality, community surveillance has been recommended. The purpose of this study was to characterize the impact of falls among the elderly on emergency medical transport services (EMS) and to explore the potential for community surveillance of falls through the use of computerized EMS data. Computerized EMS data and United States census data for 1990 for persons aged ≥65 in Forsyth County, NC, were used to produce EMS transport rates for falls and to make comparisons by age, gender, race, and residence (nursing home vs community). A fall was reported as the cause for EMS summons in 15.1% (613 of 4,058) of cases. Transport rates in 1990 for falls were 7.8 per 1,000, 25.4 per 1,000, and 58.5 per 1,000 for the age groups of 65 to 74 years, 75 to 84 years, and 85 years and older. Rates were higher for females than for males (17.1 per 1,000 v 8.1 per 1,000) and higher for whites than for African-Americans (14.3 per 1,000 v 10.3 per 1,000). Rates for nursing home residents were four times that of community residents (70.6 per 1,000 v 16.0 per 1,000). Over 50% of nursing home fallers were transported between midnight and 0400 compared with 25% of community dwellers. EMS summons for older adults reporting a fall accounts for a significant portion (15%) of all transports in this county. Computerized EMS data demonstrated patterns of falls among the elderly that are consistent with known demographic factors. The potential for using computerized EMS data as a practical means of community surveillance should be further explored.

References (26)

  • LW Gerson et al.

    Using paramedics to identify at-risk elderly

    Ann Emerg Med

    (1992)
  • BH Alexander et al.

    The cost and frequency of hospitalization for fall-related injuries in older adults

    Am J Publ Health

    (1992)
  • BC Perry

    Falls among the elderly: A review of the methods and conclusions of epidemiologic studies

    J Am Geriatr Soc

    (1982)
  • Centers for Disease Control

    Surveillance of major causes of hospitalization among the elderly

    MMWR CDC Surv Sum 1991

    (1988)
  • ME Tinetti et al.

    Risk factors for falls among elderly persons living in the community

    N Engl J Med

    (1988)
  • JL Kelsey et al.

    Risk factors for hip fracture

    N Engl J Med

    (1987)
  • SR Cummings et al.

    Epidemiology of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures

    Epidemiol Rev

    (1985)
  • DA Lambert et al.

    Deaths from falls, 1978–1984

    MMWR CDC Surv Sum

    (1988)
  • RW Sattin

    Falls among older persons: A public health perspective

    Ann Rev Publ Health

    (1992)
  • External cause-of-injury coding in hospital data

    MMWR

    (1992)
  • National Committee Vital Health Statistics

    Subcommittee on Ambulatory Hospital Care Statistics 1991

  • CA Devito et al.

    Fall injuries among the elderly

    J Am Geriatr Soc

    (1988)
  • AK Hsaio et al.

    Role of the emergency medical services system in regionwide health monitoring and referral

    Ann Emerg Med

    (1993)
  • Cited by (16)

    • Geriatric use of emergency medical services

      1996, Annals of Emergency Medicine
    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Supported in part by Kate B. Reynolds Foundation as part of the Forsyth County Study of Aging.

    View full text