The Impact and Outcome of Elderly Drivers Involved in Road Traffic Accidents: Experience in Hsinchu Regional Hospital

Background: This study investigated the injury severity and mortality due to road traffic accidents in an elderly population in Hsinchu city. Methods: Retrospective data from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2018, of elderly patients sent to the emergency department due to road traffic accidents were analyzed. Statistical analyses of the injury severity, complications, hospital stay (ward and intensive care unit), and mode of transport (bicycle or motorcycle or car), were compared to evaluate the risk of injury in elderly groups. Results: A total of 563 elderly drivers who were admitted to hospital were classified as young (65 <= age < 75, N = 340), old (75 <= age < 85, N = 187) and oldest (age >= 85, N = 36) elderly. Most were transported to the emergency department between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. by the Emergency Medical Service, tested negative for blood alcohol, and predominantly male and motorcyclists. The young elderly had significantly higher rates of injuries to the face, while all groups had more extremity and head injuries. There was no statistical difference in the Injury Severity Score (ISS), New Injury Severity Score (NISS), and Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) between groups, but there were higher admission and mortality rates in the old elderly group. Conclusion: Most road traffic accidents in the elderly groups involved male and motorcyclists, leading to hospitalization with extremities and head injuries. Age-related mortality was still higher in the old elderly, that the safety of old elderly drivers remains a problem in Hsinchu city. Copyright (C) 2021, Taiwan Society of Geriatric Emergency & Critical Care Medicine.