The burden of fall-related injury among older persons in New South Wales

Abstract

Objective: To develop a comprehensive estimate of the burden of fall-related injury among older people in New South Wales. Methods: Fall injuries in 2006/07 were estimated using information from several datasets and the literature. Healthcare costs were calculated using Australia-Refined- Diagnostic-Related Group costs for hospital episodes of care and average costs for Emergency Department presentations, ambulance transport and residential aged care (RAC). Ratios of the cost of inpatient care relative to other health services, derived from the literature, were used to estimate the costs associated with these services. Results: In 2006/07, in NSW, there were almost 143,000 falls, among older..