Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trauma Encounters

Division

Far West

Hospital

Riverside Community Hospital

Document Type

Manuscript

Publication Date

7-4-2021

Keywords

special topics, trauma, trauma acute care, pandemics, sars-cov-2, COVID-19

Disciplines

Surgery | Trauma

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has affected the health care system significantly. We compare 2019 to 2020 to evaluate how trauma encounters has changed during the pandemic.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis using a large US health care system to compare trauma demographics, volumes, mechanisms of injury, and outcomes. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate for significant differences comparing 2019 to 2020.

RESULTS: Data was collected from 88 hospitals across 18 states. 169 892 patients were included in the study. There were 6.3% fewer trauma patient encounters in 2020 compared to 2019. Mechanism of injury was significantly different between 2019 and 2020 with less blunt injuries (89.64% vs. 88.39%,

CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected trauma patient demographics, LOS, mechanism of injury, and mortality.

Publisher or Conference

The American Surgeon

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