Impact of the first COVID-19 shutdown on patient volumes and surgical procedures of a Level I trauma center

• DOI: 10.1007/s00068-021-01654-8
• Publication Date: 2021-04-21T14:08:36Z
• Authors: Carolin A. Kreis; Birte Ortmann; Moritz Freistuehler; René Hartensuer; Hugo Van Aken; Michael J. Raschke; Benedikt Schliemann
• Keywords: Shut down; Trauma Center

Abstract Purpose In Dec 2019, COVID-19 was first recognized and led to a worldwide pandemic. The German government implemented shutdown in Mar 2020, affecting outpatient hospital care. aim of the present article evaluate impact on patient volumes surgical procedures Level I trauma center Germany. Methods All emergency patients were recorded retrospectively during compared calendar-matched control period (CTRL). Total contacts including mechanisms, injury patterns operation numbers absolute numbers, incidence proportions risk ratios. Results During period, we observed decrease cases (417) CTRL (575), elective (42 vs. 13) total number operations (397 325). Incidence increased from 8.2 12.2% (shutdown) decreased (11.1 4.3%). As for most mechanisms patterns, found an increasing proportion severe open fractures. Household-related injuries reported with 26.8 47.5% (shutdown). We tendency related psychological disorders. Conclusion This analysis shows department period. Concurrently, increase fractures operations. Furthermore, mechanism changed less traffic, work sports-related accidents.