Injuries in the time of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction Research has shown that during the 2003 SARS pandemic, emergency department (ED) visits among the pediatric population decreased. We set out to investigate if this was also true for injury-related ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Using data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP), we looked at 28 years of injury-related ED visits at the Montreal Children’s Hospital, a provincially designated Pediatric Trauma Centre. We compared data from a two-month period during the COVID-19 lockdown (16 March to 15 May) to the same period in previous years (1993–2019) to determine whether the 2020 decrease in ED visit numbers was unprecedented (i.e. a similar decrease had never occurred) for different age groups, nature of injuries, mechanisms and severity. Results The 2020 decrease was unprecedented across all age groups between 1993 and 2019. When compared with the 2015 to 2019 average, the decrease was smallest in children aged 2 to 5 years (a 35% decrease), and greatest in the group aged 12 to 17 years (83%). Motor vehicle collisions and sports-related injuries practically vanished during the COVID-19 lockdown. Surprisingly, more children aged 6 to 17 years presented with less urgent injuries during the COVID-19 lockdown than in previous years. Conclusion As was the case with SARS in 2003, COVID-19 acted as a deterrent for pediatric ED visits. The lockdown in particular had a profound impact on injury-related visits. The de-confinement period will be monitored to determine the impact in both the short and the long term.

Musculoskeletal Attendances to a Minor Injury Department During a Pandemic

“…This is consistent with the data seen in this audit with “Limb Problems” which declined by 59.74% during the period of lockdown. One other explanation offered for the drop in trauma-related attendances is the significant decline in the number of patients under the age of 17 attending with injuries which decreased by 62% as reported in an article from Canada [ 24 ]. Environmental changes in temperature and season all impact on the trauma pattern with less patients presenting in the winter normally.…”

The Impact of COVID-19 on Burn Care at a Major Regional Burn Center

“…Williams et al 4 and Greenhalgh 5 described increased burn center admissions, while Kruchevsky described decreased admissions overall, but increased levels in the pediatric and female demographic categories. 3 Keays et al 6 showed a remarkable reduction in traumatic injuries presenting to Montreal Children’s Hospital, Canada.…”

Trampolines injuries are bouncing back

“…Studies from major trauma centres in more metropolitan areas including London (UK) and Montreal (Canada), demonstrated no significant increase in trampolining injuries. 12 , 25 , 27 One study group in rural South Australia found no change in paediatric orthopaedic admissions, although no explanation was offered for this. 28 The hospital included in our study is a rural district general hospital, with an affluent surrounding population.…”

“… 29 The consensus from the currently available literature is that trampolines pose a significant danger to the public, with a high requirement for surgery, and their usage has been discouraged. 19 - 22 , 27 …”

“…Our study is not the only one to demonstrate that COVID-19 has had an effect upon the number of paediatric presentations to the emergency department. 12 , 25 - 27 …”