Impact of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic on number of patients and patterns of injuries at a level I trauma center

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) with confirmed cases surpassing 4,179,479 and more than 287,034 estimated deaths across over 160 countries [1]. On 31 December 2019, 27 cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology were reported in the city of Wuhan [2], Hubei province, China. The causative agent was identified from throat swab samples performed at Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on 7 January 2020 [2]. The virus was subsequently named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), while the associated disease was called COVID-19 by the WHO.

The first PCR-positive case in Austria, as well as Switzerland, was reported on 05/02/2020 [3]; however, in the preceding weeks several suspected cases tested negative, giving the local authorities a false sense of control over the spread of the virus. Soon after, it was reported that popular skiing resorts throughout the Austrian Alps were already serving as transmission hubs for SARS-CoV‑2 [4]. It took several more days before the authorities recognized the impending threat to public health and reacted accordingly. As the rise in infections accelerated, a lockdown was declared on 14/03/2020 with full restrictions enforced from 16/03/2020 [5].

We hypothesize that the COVID-19 related lockdown due to the so-called first wave of the pandemic lead to reduced patient numbers and admissions, but a proportionally higher incidence of major trauma. The aim of the study was to provide an overview of the workflow at a level I trauma department during the 2020 lockdown and to assess its impact on patient numbers and injury pattern as compared to the corresponding period in 2019. This will identify areas for improvement and help establish guidelines in case of future waves/lockdowns [6].

During the national lockdown there was a significant reduction in the overall patient volume inward and outward but, unlike Christey et al. [14] there was no significant reduction in major trauma; however, the higher ISS among these trauma cases, along with further delays to surgery caused by SARS-CoV‑2 PCR testing, may explain the increase in death rate from 4% to 14% during lockdown. Although there was no decrease in major injuries, the place of injury significantly shifted, as expected, from outdoors to at home.

Of particular note, this study identified a significant increase in admissions due to attempted suicide. This highlights that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health may be more profound than anticipated, in line with suggestions that suicide rates will rise as the pandemic continues [15]. Given the long-term effects on the general population, the economy, as well as the vulnerable groups, suicide prevention will need urgent consideration [16]. Data from previous pandemics suggest increasing rates of suicide, as seen in the USA during the 1918–1919 [16] influenza pandemic and among the older population of Hong Kong during the 2003 SARS epidemic [17, 18]. Therefore, we hypothesize that mental health consequences are likely to be present for longer and will peak later than the pandemic.

The number of hospital admissions due to domestic violence during lockdown significantly reduced by 40% by the end of April. This is not supported by the literature, with China reporting a tripling of domestic violence during lockdown [19]. Furthermore, in Europe, France showed a 30% increase in domestic violence [20] and Spain reported rising rates of domestic violence-related homicide [21]. Considering the social breakdown occurring during both lockdown and natural disasters, there is evidence suggesting that domestic violence rates increase, and remain higher than usual, for several months after the catastrophic event [22]. Furthermore, the number of unreported cases of domestic violence remains debated with the literature suggesting only between 2.5–15% of cases being reported [23]. Thus, it is critical that governments across the world enable services, including therapists and helpline practitioners working in the field of domestic and sexual violence, to stay open [19].

Although there was a 42% reduction in hip fractures admitted to hospital (n = 64 vs. n = 37; p = 0.001), they represented a higher proportion of the total admissions during lockdown (0.6% vs. 2%; p = 0.001). In the first 7 days of the lockdown there were no new hip fracture cases presented to the trauma emergency department (Fig. 4). This suggests that the reduction in cases was most likely influenced by the beginning of lockdown. Kenanidis et al. reported low numbers of hip fractures during the early phase of the Greek lockdown with a significantly upward trend towards end of lockdown. The authors speculated that the impact on lifestyle and psychology of the older citizens during the early phase of the lockdown was critical. Initially the limited mobility around the house reduced the number of falls and osteoporotic hip fractures; however, by the end of lockdown, the increase in the incidence of hip fractures probably relates to acclimatizing to the restrictive measures and realizing the controlled spread of the virus across the country coaxed reduced adherence to the lockdown [24]. Our results support this theory, with the number of patients with hip fractures dropping to zero during the early phase and rising by the end of lockdown.

Delays in the treatment of hip fractures due to secondary effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as hospital reorganization need to be analyzed in further studies. These delays could affect hip fracture patients, as delays in operative treatment are well known to increase mortality [25].

It is clear from the literature and our results that even during lockdown, a certain number of trauma cases will continue to present to hospital. Although the reduction in cases is unsurprising, considering the emptier streets and self-isolating initiatives led by government policy, the question remains: where are all the minor injuries? Are they being self-treated at home? One theory suggests that the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases, along with the mediatization of the global emergency, led to a widespread sense of overstretched healthcare systems [26]. Furthermore, patients may well have avoided hospitals as they feared they would catch the virus and fall ill. Considering these circumstances it is possible that a reduction in triggers resulting from isolation will be followed by a surge as we emerge from isolation and return to work and other activities. Thus, trauma may not have been prevented as much as deferred [27].

Physical activity plays a crucial role in public health—even with a global pandemic and lockdown in place, physical activity was not only permitted, but encouraged. Medical universities recommended moderate types of exercise, from jogging and Nordic walking to brisk walks in the park and forest trails [28] and 80% of jogging injuries are due to overstraining and cannot be associated with acute accidents [29]. During lockdown there was a significant reduction in both group-related and individual-related injuries. One explanation is that the public was mindful of the consequences of moderate to severe injuries and thus reduced their daily activities to avoid injuries. Another possibility is that most injuries associated with solo activities do not require medical intervention but rather need to be rested, something people could try at home. Only the injuries which persisted through the rest period ended up presenting to the trauma department, generating a self-selection bias during lockdown.

This study does have limitations. There may have been other confounding factors, such as weather conditions, that may have affected trauma numbers between years that we have not accounted for, and data collection was only from one center, which could differ from all other Austrian trauma center data.

Although trauma of all age groups and severities will continue to occur, the tendency during a lockdown will be a greatly reduced case load. Nevertheless, with no significant drop in major injuries, resources need to remain readily available for any future waves. We propose that trauma departments should continue to review and update safety plans and guidelines in order to provide full services until any significant resource restriction occurs. Furthermore, this crisis has provided important lessons for staff organization and leadership, including efficient management of surgeries and trauma with a reduced but dedicated staff. The importance of versatility in managing limited resources has been highlighted, always adapting to an ever-changing situation. This will ensure the highest levels of service are maintained, reducing complications and ultimately improving patient outcomes.