The incidence and burden of ladder, structure, and scaffolding falls

Acad Emerg Med. 2005 Mar;12(3):267-70. doi: 10.1197/j.aem.2004.10.028.

Abstract

Objectives: The national morbidity and mortality associated with falls from a height is incompletely described. The authors estimated the rates of injury, hospitalization, and mortality due to these falls for subgroups of the U.S. population.

Methods: Administrative databases (1995-2000) provided national samples of patients treated for injuries following a fall from a height (ICD-9-CM E-codes E881.0, E881.1, or E882). Inpatient data are from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, and emergency department data are from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.

Results: A total of 347,484 (95% confidence interval = 308,417 to 386,551) emergency department presentations occur annually for injuries following a fall. Hospitalized patients older than 75 years of age had a 3.3% case fatality, and 42% were discharged to a skilled nursing facility. For patients older than 55 years of age, 86% of falls were not work related.

Conclusions: Ladder and structure falls by elders are a substantial emergency department problem warranting thorough clinical evaluation and injury prevention efforts.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Accidental Falls / statistics & numerical data*
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Causality
  • Child
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cost of Illness*
  • Female
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sex Distribution
  • United States / epidemiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / epidemiology*