Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trauma Encounters
Nicholas Sheets, Oluwatosin S. Fawibe, Ahmed Mahmoud, Bhani Chawla‐Kondal, Napatkamon Ayutyanont, David Plurad
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%, P < .001), more burn injuries (1.84% vs. 2.00%, P = .021), and more penetrating injuries (8.58% vs. 9.75%, P < .001). Compared to 2019, patients in 2020 had higher mortality (2.62% vs. 2.88%, P < .001), and longer hospital LOS (3.92 ± 6.90 vs. 4.06 ± 6.56, P < .001). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected trauma patient demographics, LOS, mechanism of injury, and mortality.