accidental fall

Epidemiology

• a new 30-ft border wall along the San Diego-Mexican border was supposed to be unclimbable; however, a level 1 trauma center saw significant increases in number & severity of border wall fall injuries starting in 2019, as new wall construction concluded (5-fold increase)
• hospitalized patients presenting with traumatic brain injury (TBI) after falls at the U.S.-Mexico border wall had more severe injuries & were less likely to receive follow-up care than other patients with TBI from high falls ( >= 15 ft)
  • border wall falls were associated with more diffuse axonal injury (37% vs 8%), progression of TBI on repeat imaging (69% vs 44%), & neurological deficits at discharge (21% vs 3%)
  • border wall falls associated with longer times from injury to admission (245 vs 51 minutes)

More general terms

• trauma

More specific terms

• accidental fall from animal
• accidental fall from baby stroller
• accidental fall from boat or other water craft
• accidental fall from building
• accidental fall from cliff
• accidental fall from collision
• accidental fall from commode or toilet
• accidental fall from different level
• accidental fall from furniture
• accidental fall from grocery cart
• accidental fall from ice skates
• accidental fall from ladder
• accidental fall from moving vehicle
• accidental fall from playground equipment
• accidental fall from roller skates
• accidental fall from same level
• accidental fall from scaffolding
• accidental fall from scooter
• accidental fall from skateboard
• accidental fall from skis
• accidental fall from sled
• accidental fall from snowboard
• accidental fall from tree
• accidental fall from wheelchair
• accidental fall in moving vehicle
• accidental fall in shower or bathtub
• accidental fall into hole or other opening in surface
• accidental fall on boat or other water craft
• accidental fall on or from pedestrian conveyance
• accidental fall on or from ramp or incline
• accidental fall on or from sidewalk curb
• accidental fall on or from stairs or steps
• accidental fall striking sharp object
• accidental fall while being carried or supported
• falls in the elderly