Hospitalized injured older adults: clinical utility of a rib fracture scoring system.

INTRODUCTION

A rib fracture scoring system (RFS) was proposed for risk assessment in hospitalized injured older adults. Development was limited to one site.

PURPOSE

To validate the RFS for clinical utility in predicting outcomes in another hospital setting.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort design.

SAMPLE

Patients aged 50 years or older with rib fracture(s) (N = 81).

SETTING

Level II trauma center.

DATA COLLECTION

Trauma registry data (2002-2005).

DATA ANALYSIS

Bivariate correlations, linear and logistic regression models.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: While the RFS is associated with outcomes, explanatory value is low. Further research is needed to identify hospitalized injured older adults most likely to utilize health services.