faints, falls and trauma Flashcards
what percentage of syncope has CVD has a reason for it?
55%
what are the signs that a syncopal event occurred?
face/ head injuries, unexplainable injuries, falls, fractures, amnesia
what medication is used to increase bp?
fludocortisone - lowers by na and water rentention
what are the risks to cause a fall?
- intrinsic - visual, cog, impairment, cog, gait/ balance abnormalities
- extrinsic - polypharmacy, environmental factors (uneven ground, wet, stairs etc0, walking aids
what analgesics are given to those who have fell?
acetaminophen - most freely available drug on the market, NSAIDs (with PPI), opiates
what are the issues with prolonged NSAIDs?
GI issues, kidney, liver issues
what is the issue with opioids?
1-3% of those prescribed with opioids will experience dependency - drug addiction
what surgery is used in neck of femur fractures?
anthroplasty - total or partial
what is the mdt approach to falls and syncope?
falls and syncope service - largest in europe based in ncl
name the roles and jobs involved in the falls service mdt
- doctors - consultant led
- nursing staff - allow the service to run
- pharmacy
- physio
- OT
- opticians?
- neuro?
- podiatry
what is the purpose of the mdt falls service?
to produce patient centred care from each speciality to give rounded and beneficial care and build confidence again for the user of the service
what happened to the ncl falls and syncope service in 2006?
the first rapid access - not just gp referral but can be from NEAS, A&E
where is the ncl falls and syncope service located?
Belsay Unit within the Campus for Ageign and Vitality
what is fraility?
lack of physiological reserve leaving the person with increased vulnerability to fractures and injuries as well as illness
define postural hypotension
when a person goes from sitting to standing and drops systolic bp by 20mmHg or diastolic drop by 10mmHg
define falls
an event resulting in a person inadvertently coming to rest on th ground or a low level and can be with/ without consciousness or injury
define syncope
syncope is the loss of consciousness characterised by unresponsiveness, loss of postural tone and the spontaneous recovery without resuscitation efforts or interventions.
what is the rate of incidence of a fall in the 65+?
30%
what is the rate of incidence of a fall in the 80+?
40%
what percentage of falls result in serious injury?
5-10%
how many hip fractures occur yearly?
70,000
what is the survival rate post hip fracture?
1/3 will die in the first year following
what percent of A&E attendances was from the 65+ with an associated fall?
45%
how much do falls cost the NHS yearly?
£2.3bn
what is the issue with patients with unknown syncope?
as it hard to distinguish whether it has occurred because only 40-60% of syncopal events are witnessed
- a large proportion of the elderly forget they had a fall within three months
what does the tilt table test do?
mimics postural hypotension - see if the feeling can be recreated - so that they can get a diagnosis