Citation

McNair AM, Rhodes HX, Biswas S. Am. Surg. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Southeastern Surgical Congress)

DOI

10.1177/00031348231175102

PMID

37139891

Abstract

The COVID-19 mandated lockdown created unintended outcomes in traumatic injury patterns and psychosocial behaviors compared to previous years during the same timeframe. The aim of this research is to describe a population of trauma patients during the past 5 years to determine particular trends in trauma patterns and trauma severity. A retrospective cohort study on all adult (≥18 years) trauma patients admitted to this ACS verified Level I trauma center in South Carolina, inclusive years 2017 to 2021. A total of 3281 adult trauma patients were included during the lockdown period across 5 years. There was an increase in penetrating injuries in 2020 compared to 2019 (9% vs 4%, P <.01). The psychosocial impacts of government-mandated lockdowns may lead to increased alcohol consumption leading to a higher degree of injury severity and morbidity markers in the trauma population.

Language: en

Keywords

trauma; trauma acute care; ICU