No abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to describe the impact of a COVID-19 lockdown on the variation in the volumes and types of injuries at a level one trauma center while focusing on preserving trauma care resources. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study of prospectively collected data from the Trauma Registry. Data collection included patient demographics, injury mechanism, injury type and treatment required. The time periods studied corresponded with the lockdown period in Israel and a parallel period in 2019. Results: Overall, there was no reduction in all injury-related admissions. There was a significant reduction in pedestrian injuries (p < 0.02) and a non-significant increase in children admissions aged 0–2 years. Compared to the previous years, the severity of injuries during the March–April 2020 lockdown was unchanged. Hospital resources (number and percentage of trauma patients who required an operation, ICU stay and LOS) were not different between the lockdown period compared to the previous 5 years. Less trauma patients arrived with a Trauma Team Activation code during the lockdown period (58, 33% decrease compared to the control), but a significantly higher proportion of those patients required hospitalization (77.6%, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: During a lockdown period, road accidents were still the main cause for major trauma admissions, resulting in prolonged and complex surgeries, and hospitals should continue to provide full services until resource limitations are unavoidable. Maintenance of an effective full-staffed trauma service is vital throughout a COVID-19 lockdown.