A retrospective study to evaluate 65 years and older patients admitted to Akdeniz University Hospital due to falling between 2000-2010

Objective: This study was aimed to determine the falling reasoned hospital admissions of 65 years and older patients to Akdeniz University Hospital between 2000- 2010 and also to evaluate the characteristics of falls among this age group. Method: This retrospective study comprised by examining the files of falling persons over 65 years admitted to Akdeniz University Hospital between 2000-2010. Patients? age, sex, date of application, accompanying diseases, used drugs, type of the falls, the place relation according to where the falls had occurred, relationship of the falls with the seasons, the severity of accident, injury type, fracture and body part relation, the duration of hospitalization, type of treatment were analyzed. Findings: 555 elderly patients were admitted to Akdeniz University Hospital due to a fall history between 2000-2010. Most of those patients were between the ages of 75-85, composed of %32,1 male and %67,9 female. Frequency and the type of occurrence of falls; falling at the same level was admitted as the most common form, second common form was falling from height and third place was the step falls. Conclusions: Overall 555 elderly patients were admitted to Akdeniz Univesity Hospital due to a fall history between 2000- 2010 and the ratio of the falls was higher in women than men and significantly more frequent between 75- 85 years. 377 patients (67.9%) only once, 52 patients (9.36%) two times, 13 patients (2.34%) three times, 6 patients (1.08%) four times, 2 patients (0.36%) 5 times admitted to our hospital due to a fall. This type of retrospective analysis is done by searching files and falls by the ICD code, and this sometimes made it impossible to access some information requested. Some reasonal relations to falls those couldn?t investigated were also other restrictions of our study. With simple and inexpensive preventions taken at home, falls can be prevented highly. For this purpose, during arrangements for the elderly people, their physical deficiencies could be taken into consideration and they could be informed about the falls during their periodic health examinations by the physicians. A good questioning to determine the risk factors and making the necessary arrangements and supporting preventive measures for these risk factors can be lifesaving. As a result, eventhough the falls consist of an important health problem for the elderly, could be highly prevented by minimizing the risks and by helding training programs for the elderly people and their caregivers.