JEMS : a journal of emergency medical services
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Assessing elderly patients is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. In the case described, it's entirely possible that the patient stumbled and fell, bumping his head and bruising his chest. His confusion is probably secondary to dementia, and his vital signs indicate a lack of serious injury. ⋯ He could suffer from chronic congestive heart failure, and his living will could be sticking out of his pocket. As the elderly population increases in number, their medical and social issues grow as well. The onus is on us, as healthcare providers, to learn about the aging population and the special problems they present so that we can continue to improve the quality of care we deliver.