Despite an increase in LOS during 2014, after the incorporation
of NICHE, there are many variables to consider
when looking at LOS, which may have contributed
to these results. An increasing number of functionally dependent
geriatric trauma patients were admitted at LVHN.
In 2011, 25.3% of patients were functionally dependent,
28.7% in 2012, 38.6% in 2013, and 43.7% in 2014. Despite
the largest growth in the oldest old trauma patients, patients
aged 85 years and more, those at the highest risk of
complications after trauma, minimal change in LOS was
seen. In addition, the average injury severity score in 2013
was 9 compared with 10 in 2014. There were a greater
number of comorbid conditions in geriatric trauma patients
in 2014 compared with 2013, with an average of
4.20 comorbidities in 2013 and 4.34 in 2014. Also, process
improvement projects developed from NICHE were not