Triage of the injured older adult: A narrative review of nationwide hospital practices

Despite published Best Practice Guidelines, a standardized triaging system for older adult trauma patients is not nationally implemented. We conducted a narrative review and consolidated the literature on nationwide triage practices for injured older adults to identify effective components. Search terms included “geriatric hospital triage,” “geriatric trauma triage,” “elderly trauma triage,” and “older adult trauma triage.” We included studies conducted in the United States published from 2014 to 2024, which yielded 31 articles. Identified triaging criteria such as anticoagulation, certain comorbidities, fall mechanism, head trauma, and mental status led to improved patient outcomes, such as significantly reduced hospital length of stay and decreased odds of mortality. The parameters for defining and triaging injured older adults are not uniform; however, they could serve as adequate risk stratification or prognostic tools. Effective components of institutional practices comprise a comprehensive triaging system for these patients. Future guidelines should incorporate a consensus of age and physiological criteria of older adults.