The New Zealand medical journal
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Comparative Study
Elderly trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit are different from the younger population.
This study was undertaken to investigate the demographic profile of elderly (65 years old and over) patients with severe trauma admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Auckland Hospital and to compare their characteristics with those of the younger (under 65 years) trauma patients. A further aim was to see if specific areas of potential injury prevention could be identified. ⋯ Elderly trauma patients in the Intensive Care Unit are a group with distinctive demographics, mechanisms of injury, injury types and outcomes. This information needs to be considered for the future planning of trauma and prevention services in New Zealand.