REFERRALS TO EARLY SPECIALIZED REHABILITATION AFTER TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

OBJECTIVE: To quantify potential changes in direct referral to early specialized rehabilitation during the COVID-19 pandemic and the injury pattern of patients hospitalized with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at a level 1 trauma centre. METHODS: In this registry-based study, data were retrieved from the Oslo TBI Registry-Neurosurgery and included adult patients with injury-related intracranial findings admitted to Oslo University Hospital (OUH). The study focused on a period of time when OUH was in any level of preparedness because of the COVID-19 pandemic; March 2020 to August 2021. For comparison, the study used patients hospitalized for TBI in 2018 and 2019. RESULTS: A total of 1,310 hospitalized patients with TBI were divided into 2 groups; pre-pandemic and pandemic. Direct referral to early rehabilitation was maintained. Patient volume remained stable, and there were no differences between the groups regarding patient characteristics and acute management, although there was a significantly higher proportion of TBIs secondary to electric scooter accidents in the pandemic group. Results from univariable and multivariable logistic regression showed a multifaceted reality, but younger age, none or mild pre-injury comorbidity and severe disability due to TBI at discharge from acute care remained stable strong predictors of direct referral to rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: For patients with moderate-severe TBI, the direct pathway to early specialized rehabilitation was maintained during 2020–21. However, the pandemic continued and the long-term impact for rehabilitation services is not yet known.