Background: When evaluating trauma patients, many centers perform computed tomography of the head, cervical spine, chest, abdomen, and pelvis, the so-called "pan-scan." Here, we evaluate the utility of pan-scan in geriatric patients who sustained ground-level falls. Study Design: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients from the trauma registry of a large, urban Level 1 trauma center. Inclusion criteria were registration during the 2019 calendar year, age ≥ 65, mechanism of fall from either sitting or standing, and performance of "pan-scan" at time of assessment. Patient demographics, physical exam findings, CT results, injuries, and patient disposition were recorded. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the physical exam for significant injuries were calculated.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
751
This is a retrospective chart review
SIUH Northwell Health
New York, New York, United States
Sensitivity of physical exam compared to CT scan and identifying traumatic injuries
Sensitivity of physical exam compared to CT scan and identifying traumatic injuries. Sensitivity is a statistical measure which was calculated using our SAS software as described in methods. CT scan was used as the gold standard. Both physical exam and CAT scan were performed on initial presentation with a time frame on the order of minutes to hours.
Time frame: 2 years
Prevalence of injury.
Traumatic injuries were determined by CT scan, tabulated, and broken down by body region as well as injury type. These data were collected at the time of CT scan on initial presentation. These data presented as whole numbers and percentages.
Time frame: 2 years
Disposition from ED
Dispositions were determined by chart review, tabulated, and broken down by disposition location. These data collected at the time of admission
Time frame: 2 years
Disposition from hospital.
Dispositions were determined by chart review, tabulated, and broken down by disposition location, including patient expiration in some cases. These data were collected at the time of discharge
Time frame: 2 years
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.