Improving Geriatric Trauma Outcomes: A Small Step Toward a Big Problem.

Background: Due to the unique physiology and co-morbidities of injured geriatric patients, specific interventions are needed to improve outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a change in triage criteria for injured geriatric patients evaluated at an ACS Level I trauma center. Methods: As of October 1, 2013, all injured patients >= 70 years of age were mandated to have the highest level trauma activation upon emergency department arrival regardless of physiology or mechanism of injury. Patients admitted prior to that date were designated PRE; those admitted after were designated POST. The study period was from October 1, 2011 through April 30, 2015. Data collected included demographics, mechanism of injury, hypotension on admission, comorbidities, Injury Severity Score (ISS), emergency department length of stay (ED LOS), complications, and mortality. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to compare outcomes between the study groups (p

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