SGE008
Authors
Dr. Christina Shenvi
Course Description
Older adults are uniquely vulnerable to trauma due to age-related changes in anatomy and physiology, including cerebral atrophy, frailty, and decreased physiological reserve. This session focuses on the three most common injuries in geriatric trauma—rib fractures, hip fractures, and head injuries—and highlights how these can carry disproportionately high morbidity and mortality. Learners will explore injury patterns, diagnostic pitfalls, and the importance of liberal imaging strategies. Emphasis is placed on adapting trauma care to meet the needs of older adults through thoughtful clinical decision-making, interdisciplinary support, and system-based strategies to improve outcomes.
Learning Objectives
- Identify common injury patterns in older adults and understand why they carry increased risks of complications and mortality.
- Apply age-appropriate diagnostic and imaging strategies for evaluating head trauma, rib fractures, and hip injuries in the ED.
- Recognize when to involve interdisciplinary team members and initiate early interventions to prevent functional decline and improve recovery.
Run Time: ~30 minutes
Target Audience: Emergency Department Clinical Staff
SAGE Program
These courses were developed for the Syllabus for Advancing Geriatric EM Education (SAGE). They’re designed to help medical residents better understand how to manage geriatric patients in the ED.