COVID-19 outbreak impact on emergency trauma visits and trauma surgery in a level 3 trauma center

BACKGROUND: This study aims to compare emergency trauma visits’ severity, emergency surgical needs, and characteristics between the pandemic and pre-pandemic periods. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary training and research hospital between 1 and 30 April 2020 (pandemic group) and compared with the previous year’s same dates (pre-pandemic group). Trauma patients aged 18 and over were included in the study. Emergency Severity Index (ESI) levels, trauma surgery needs, and injury characteristics were compared. RESULTS: A total of 2097 patients (592 pandemic and 1505 pre-pandemic) were included. There was an approximately 60% reduction in total and daily visits. ESI levels 1 (0.2% vs. 1.4%) and 2 (0.8% vs. 1.9%) patients increased during pandemic period. Trauma surgery needs (1.6% vs. 2.2%), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (0.4% vs. 0.2%), and ward admission (6.3% vs. 7.9%) did not change during pandemic period. CONCLUSION: Despite the decrease in the visit frequency of adult trauma patients during the pandemic period, the needs for trauma surgery, ICU, and ward admission did not change. Trauma teams should continue their duties during the pandemic period.