Trends in hospitalization after injury: older women are displacing young men

Objective: To evaluate trends in hospitalization after injuries in the USA. Design: National Hospital Discharge Survey data from 1979 to 2000 were evaluated annually by age group, sex, injury severity score (ISS), length of stay, and discharge destination. Setting and subjects: National probability sample of hospitalized patients. Interventions: None. Main outcome measures: Incidence, duration, outcome, and population based rates of hospital admission after injuries. Results: The number of young males admitted to hospitals after injuries has decreased dramatically; older females are now the group most frequently admitted. Total days in the hospital have decreased in all age groups, but have declined less in the older population than in the younger population; furthermore, most patients aged 65 and over were formerly discharged home, but now most are discharged to long term care facilities. Overall hospitalization rates after injury have decreased in all age groups, but have declined less in the older population; furthermore, male and female hospitalization rates for serious injury (ISS at least 9, excluding isolated hip fracture) are decreasing in younger age groups while increasing in older age groups. Conclusions: Older patients comprise a growing proportion of injuries requiring hospitalization. Trauma systems must address this change, and preventing injuries in older people is increasingly important.