Escalating Risks: Injury Patterns in Escalator-Related Trauma

Cureus. 2024 Nov 26;16(11):e74535. doi: 10.7759/cureus.74535. eCollection 2024 Nov.

Abstract

Falls from escalators, although infrequent, can result in a wide array of injuries, ranging from minor lacerations to fatal outcomes. This retrospective study aims to detail the treatment and outcomes of eight patients who sustained blunt-force trauma from escalator falls and received care at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, California. Among these eight patients, seven required hospitalization, with three necessitating intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and two patients ultimately succumbing to their injuries. This investigation provides a comprehensive overview of the injury patterns associated with escalator falls, the medical interventions implemented, and the resultant patient outcomes. The findings aim to inform strategies for improving preventative measures and optimizing patient care.

Keywords: elderly falls; fall from height; fall injury; fall-related trauma; trauma center.