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Bobovec D, Žigman T, Lovaković J, Augustin G, Antabak A, Dobrić I. Impact of Earthquakes During COVID-19 Lockdown on the Pediatric Injury Pattern in the Zagreb Urban Area. J Clin Med 2025; 14:640. [PMID: 39860646 PMCID: PMC11766251 DOI: 10.3390/jcm14020640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2024] [Revised: 01/16/2025] [Accepted: 01/17/2025] [Indexed: 01/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Previous works on the epidemiology of pediatric trauma during the COVID-19 lockdown observed a decrease in pediatric surgical emergency consultations and fracture referrals. None of those works describes a unique situation in which there is the coexistence of another opposing factor, like an earthquake, that influences the number of injured children's referrals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of earthquakes during the COVID-19 lockdown on pediatric injury pattern referrals at a tertiary care hospital in a urban setting. Methods: A retrospective single-center case-control study comprised a time interval at the time of the COVID-19 lockdown, starting with a day when the biggest earthquake happened and finishing at the end of the confinement period in Zagreb, Croatia (22 March-27 April 2020). The control group comprised the identical time interval in 2019. We identified all successive pediatric trauma patients referred to the Pediatric Emergency Department. Demographics and leading injury characteristics were analyzed. Results: We analyzed data from 1166 patients. In the case group, the median age was lower than in the control group but without gender differences. We detected a decrease in Pediatric Emergency Department referrals and a reduced proportion of pediatric trauma patients in the case group. Additionally, the proportion of shoulder/elbow injuries and head injuries was higher, and the proportion of foot/ankle injuries was lower in the case period than in the control period. Conclusions: Earthquakes during the COVID-19 lockdown changed the pattern of pediatric injuries. These data can be used to restructure health resources during similar conditions to provide optimal health care to children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dino Bobovec
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (T.Ž.); (J.L.); (A.A.); (I.D.)
| | - Tomislav Žigman
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (T.Ž.); (J.L.); (A.A.); (I.D.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Josip Lovaković
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (T.Ž.); (J.L.); (A.A.); (I.D.)
| | - Goran Augustin
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (T.Ž.); (J.L.); (A.A.); (I.D.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anko Antabak
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (T.Ž.); (J.L.); (A.A.); (I.D.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ivan Dobrić
- Department of Surgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (D.B.); (T.Ž.); (J.L.); (A.A.); (I.D.)
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Šalata 2, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Turgut N, Beyaz S. Bibliometric analysis of the Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica from 2013 to 2022. ACTA ORTHOPAEDICA ET TRAUMATOLOGICA TURCICA 2024; 58:255-262. [PMID: 39560638 PMCID: PMC11583930 DOI: 10.5152/j.aott.2024.23172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2024]
Abstract
Objective This study aimed to analyze the original articles published in Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica (AOTT) between 2013 and 2022 using bibliometric methods to identify their characteristics and examine the changing trends over the last 10 years. Methods The articles were analyzed in terms of publication year, authors, countries, affiliations, citations, study design, subspecialty of orthopedics, sample size, study outcome, presence of statistical methods, time elapsed from submission date to acceptance date, and presence of funding. Periods (2003-2012 and 2013-2022) were compared for trend analysis in the journal. Advanced bibliometric analysis was done using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.19). Results A total of 976 articles were included in the analysis. The journal's self-citation rate was 2.94%. Retrospective observational studies remained the most frequently published article design, as observed over 2003-2012 (n=411, 42.1%). No review articles were published in the previous period, while 35 review articles were published in this period. Publications from countries outside Türkiye exhibited a significantly higher number of case reports and reviews (P = .001), whereas articles from Türkiye had a significantly greater number of basic science and cross-sectional studies (P = .007, P=.017, respectively). Trauma (n=207), general orthopedics (n=144), and spine (n=105) were identified as the most prominent subspecialties. Spine surgery and adult reconstruction/arthroplasty publications significantly increased, while hand and microsurgery publications significantly decreased (P < .001). Article types were compared regarding citation counts, revealing that case reports and technical notes had significantly lower citation counts (P = .001). There was a significant increase observed in the number of author affiliations (n=2.57 ± 1.40) (P < .001). Management" (n=83), "fixation" (n=78), and "surgery" (n=65) were the most occurring keywords. There was a significant increase in articles with 1 or 2 authors in the latter 2017-2022 period compared to 2013-2016 (P=.001). A significant increase was observed in publications from private clinics and other clinical facilities (P < .001). Conclusion Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica (AOTT) has emerged as one of the leading journals in orthopedics, with a notable increase in international publications in the last decade. Being in the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-Expanded) database, increasing impact factor, and having low self-citation rates highlight its high standards and global impact. Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica (AOTT) is a valuable platform for researchers worldwide to share their work and advance orthopedic knowledge. Level of Evidence N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Necmettin Turgut
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Başkent University, Adana Turgut Noyan Research and Training Centre, Adana, Türkiye
| | - Salih Beyaz
- Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Başkent University, Adana Turgut Noyan Research and Training Centre, Adana, Türkiye
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Bancsik K, Daina LG, Lorenzovici L, Rossu G, Bancsik R, Ghitea TC, Ilea CDN, Daina MD. Gender-Specific Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopedic and Traumatology Care: An Analysis of Hospital Admissions and Length of Stay. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:2031. [PMID: 39451445 PMCID: PMC11506955 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12202031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2024] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 10/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding gender disparities in healthcare outcomes is crucial, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. The absence of gender-specific data on hospital admissions and lengths of stay for orthopedic and traumatology patients limits the precision of current analyses, making conclusions speculative. OBJECTIVE This study aims to highlight the potential insights that could be gained from gender-disaggregated data, illustrating how a more precise gender-based analysis could reveal healthcare disparities in orthopedic and trauma care during the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS A robust analysis would require gender-disaggregated data, including variables such as admission rates, lengths of stay, injury types, and access to care, along with factors like age and socioeconomic status. In the absence of such data, a hypothetical framework was developed based on known healthcare disparities, using general trends to project possible gender-specific impacts. RESULTS Without gender-disaggregated data, it remains challenging to identify specific gender differences in outcomes accurately. Hypothetical scenarios suggest that disparities in admission rates, hospital stay durations, and access to care could be influenced by factors such as increased caregiving responsibilities for women or differential access to healthcare based on socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS To accurately assess gender disparities in orthopedic and trauma care during the pandemic, future studies must prioritize the collection and use of gender-disaggregated data. This approach is essential for drawing reliable conclusions and developing targeted interventions to address healthcare inequities effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karoly Bancsik
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 1 December Sq., 410081 Oradea, Romania; (K.B.); (G.R.); (C.D.N.I.)
| | - Lucia Georgeta Daina
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Recovery, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 1 December Sq., 410081 Oradea, Romania;
| | - László Lorenzovici
- Department of Doctoral Studies, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540142 Tirgu Mures, Romania;
| | - György Rossu
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 1 December Sq., 410081 Oradea, Romania; (K.B.); (G.R.); (C.D.N.I.)
| | - Raluca Bancsik
- Clinical Emergency Hospital “Avram Iancu”, 410027 Oradea, Romania;
| | - Timea Claudia Ghitea
- Pharmacy Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 1 December Sq., 410081 Oradea, Romania
| | - Codrin Dan Nicolae Ilea
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Doctoral School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Oradea, 1 December Sq., 410081 Oradea, Romania; (K.B.); (G.R.); (C.D.N.I.)
| | - Mădălina Diana Daina
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 1 December Sq., 410081 Oradea, Romania;
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Öztürk V, Çakmur BB, Koluman AC, Çelik M, Duramaz A. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Orthopedic Trauma Management; A Cross-sectional Study. BAKIRKOY TIP DERGISI / MEDICAL JOURNAL OF BAKIRKOY 2024:152-158. [DOI: 10.4274/bmj.galenos.2024.2024.2-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
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Delbrück H, Lambertz E, Migliorini F, Berger N, Hildebrand F. Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on hospitalisations at a paediatric traumatology department during 2020: a single-centre observational study and comprehensive literature review. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2024; 50:591-601. [PMID: 38286949 PMCID: PMC11035450 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-024-02453-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study investigates changes in the injury characteristics of hospitalised children in a paediatric trauma centre during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Data from injured children from the pre-pandemic year 2019 were compared to the pandemic year 2020 using Pearson's chi-squared test and the Mann-Whitney U test. The period of highly restrictive regulations (HRP) was evaluated separately. A comprehensive literature review with defined search terms resulted in a descriptive data synthesis. RESULTS Data from 865 patients indicated reductions in admissions of 5.6% and 54.4% during the HRP. In 2020, the hospitalisation time was longer (2.2 ± 2.7 days in 2019 vs. 2.4 ± 2.6 in 2020, p = 0.045); the proportions of wounds requiring surgical therapy (p = 0.008) and of observational treatments, primarily for mild brain injuries (p = 0.046), were higher; and conservative treatments, primarily for contusions, were lower (p = 0.005). There were no significant changes in age, location of lesions, or frequency of surgical therapy; nor were there differences in the HRP, except for fewer injuries in school and kindergarten (p < 0.001). The literature review summarises the main results of 79 studies. CONCLUSION Limited resources did not alter the indications for surgical therapy. Further studies should examine whether the more common injuries sustained at home were caused by excessive work/childcare demands on parents. Reduced inpatient conservative treatment implies that hospital resources possibly were overused previously. The literature offers answers to many detailed questions regarding childhood injuries during a pandemic and more efficient safe treatment. Registration Ethical committee of RWTH Aachen University EK 22-320; Center for Translational & Clinical Research RWTH Aachen University (CTC-A) 21-430.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heide Delbrück
- Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Ellen Lambertz
- Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Filippo Migliorini
- Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Academic Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Nina Berger
- Department of Neuromuscular and Paediatric Orthopaedics, Klinikum Dritter Orden München - Nymphenburg, Menzinger Strasse 44, 80638, München, Germany
| | - Frank Hildebrand
- Department of Orthopaedics, Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
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Kabiri N, Abbasi A, Pashazadeh F, Hajebrahimi S, Soleimanpour H. The Impact of The COVID-19 Pandemic on Hospital Admissions Due to Road Traffic Crashes; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. ARCHIVES OF ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2023; 12:e12. [PMID: 38162384 PMCID: PMC10757575 DOI: 10.22037/aaem.v12i1.2157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Introduction During the unprecedented COVID-19 lockdowns, road traffic was limited, and a change in the traumatic emergency admission pattern was anticipated. We conducted the current systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admissions due to road traffic crashes. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) instructions. The following databases were searched: PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, ProQuest, and the Cochrane Library. Two independent reviewers screened articles based on the inclusion criteria for the review and assessed the methodological quality of the included studies using an appropriate appraisal checklist, introduced by the JBI, based on the study type. The meta-analysis was performed using Comprehensive meta-analysis (CMA) software. Considering the heterogeneity among studies, a random effect model was adopted to estimate the pooled effect with 95% confidence interval (CI) for binary outcomes. Results A total of 13 studies were included in this systematic review, and all of them were considered for meta-analysis. According to the meta-analysis, differences in hospital admission rates during the COVID-19 pandemic and one year before this pandemic were statistically significant [RR: 0.685 CI 95% (0.578 -0.813) p<0.00001]. The heterogeneity assessment of the included studies in the meta-analysis showed high heterogeneity (I2=78%, p<0.00001). Conclusion The results of this systematic review showed that the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced the number of hospital admissions related to road traffic crashes because of both quarantines and lifestyle changes. Health policymakers and top health managers might use the results of this systematic review in similar contexts in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Kabiri
- Research Center for Evidence-based Medicine, Iranian EBM Centre: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amin Abbasi
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Fariba Pashazadeh
- Research Center for Evidence-based Medicine, Iranian EBM Centre: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sakineh Hajebrahimi
- Research Center for Evidence-based Medicine, Iranian EBM Centre: A JBI Centre of Excellence, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Urology Department, Helsinki University, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hassan Soleimanpour
- Road Traffic Injury Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Shivkumar S, Mehta V, Vaddamanu SK, Shetty UA, Alhamoudi FH, Alwadi MAM, Aldosari LIN, Alshadidi AAF, Minervini G. Surgical Protocols before and after COVID-19-A Narrative Review. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020439. [PMID: 36851316 PMCID: PMC9963090 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 epidemic has affected not only people's daily lives but also the working methods of clinicians, surgical procedures, open/minimally invasive procedures, operating room management, patient and healthcare worker safety, education and training. The main objective of this study was to review selected articles and determine the changes in the general surgery protocols/procedures before and after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature was carried out in PubMed-Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar. The terms utilised for the searches were "SARS-CoV-2", "Surgery", "COVID-19", "Surgical protocol", "Surgical recommendations" and "before and after". A total of 236 studies were identified, out of which 41 studies were included for data extraction. Significant changes in all the articles were observed with respect to the surgeries done before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the number of elective surgeries were considerably fewer in comparison to the pre-pandemic period. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, hospitals all throughout the world have conducted significantly fewer procedures, particularly elective/non-urgent surgeries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahana Shivkumar
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Peoples College of Dental Sciences & Research Centre, People University, Bhopal 462037, India
| | - Vini Mehta
- Department of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune 411018, India
- Correspondence:
| | - Sunil Kumar Vaddamanu
- Department of Dental Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Urvashi A. Shetty
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, NITTE (Deemed to Be University), Mangalore 575018, India
| | - Fahad Hussain Alhamoudi
- Department of Dental Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maram Ali M. Alwadi
- Dental Health Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Abdulkhaliq Ali F. Alshadidi
- Department of Dental Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia
| | - Giuseppe Minervini
- Multidisciplinary Department of Medical–Surgical and Dental Specialties, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, 80138 Naples, Italy
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Muacevic A, Adler JR. The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Characteristics of Inpatients at the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Clinic in a Secondary Care Public Hospital in Turkey. Cureus 2023; 15:e34706. [PMID: 36755768 PMCID: PMC9902808 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.34706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate patients who were hospitalized at an orthopaedics and traumatology clinic in a secondary care public hospital in Turkey during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods This was a cross-sectional and retrospective study that included a total of 7439 patients - those who had been hospitalized between 11 March 2020, the date of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Turkey, and 10 March 2022 (2949 patients), and those hospitalized in the same clinic between 11 March 2018 and 10 March 2020, designated as the pre-pandemic group (control group; 4490 patients). Patients were divided into three groups: <18 years old, 18-65 years old and >65 years old and compared separately in terms of clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic characteristics as pandemic patients and control group. Results Despite the decline in both the number of admissions to the emergency service and visits to the outpatient clinic among inpatients during the pandemic period, the rate of admissions to the emergency department remained higher than that of the control group throughout the pandemic period (p<0.001). Surgical procedures were lower both numerically and proportionally in the patients who presented during the pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period (p<0.001). While the rate of traumatic surgery was higher in the pandemic group (29%) than in the pre-pandemic group (26.7%), the rate of elective surgery was higher in the pre-pandemic group (71.3%) than in the pandemic one (67.5%) (p=0.037 and p=0.001).The number of patients with fractures in all age groups decreased numerically in the pandemic cohort. While no significant difference was observed between pandemic and pre-pandemic cohorts in terms of the length of hospitalization in all age groups, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) hospitalization rate was found to have increased significantly in adult and elderly patient groups during the pandemic (p<0.001). Conclusion In our study, when the number of patients who underwent orthopaedic surgical treatment, in general, was examined, it appeared that the number of both traumatic and elective surgeries decreased during the pandemic significantly. It was found that the ICU stay rate increased significantly in adult and elderly patient groups during the pandemic. Although there were no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the patients included in the study, it is known that the pandemic and especially the lockdown periods adversely affected the mental, physical and biological health of individuals. In this context our study will be able to serve as a guide for taking measures like: 1. increasing the ICU capacity of hospitals, 2. providing in-service training to improve the experience of nurses, doctors or other healthcare workers, especially in specialized units such as ICUs, operating rooms and emergency services, considering the number of personnel who may be affected by the pandemic, and 3. ensuring a balanced distribution of orthopaedic operations in private and public hospitals, to reduce the negative effects on orthopaedic health services of other pandemics that may arise in the future.
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Obamiro E, Trivedi R, Ahmed N. Changes in trends of orthopedic services due to the COVID-19 pandemic: A review. World J Orthop 2022; 13:955-968. [PMID: 36439371 PMCID: PMC9685630 DOI: 10.5312/wjo.v13.i11.955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
As of June 10, 2022, the World Health Organization has recorded over 532 million documented coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) [(Coronavirus) SARS-CoV-2] cases and almost 6.3 million deaths worldwide, which has caused strain on medical specialties globally. The aim of this review is to explore the impact that COVID-19 has had on orthopedic practices. Providers observed a rapid decline in the number of orthopedic patients’ admissions due to cancellation of elective procedures; however, emergent cases still required treatment. Various observational studies, case reports, and clinical trials were collected through a PubMed database search. Additional sources were found through Google. The search was refined to publications in English and between the years of 2019 and 2021. The keywords used were “COVID-19” and/or “Orthopedic Injuries”. Thirty-seven studies were retained. The pandemic brought on significant changes to the mechanism of injury, number of admissions, type of injuries, and patient outcomes. Mortality rates significantly increased particularly amongst patients with hip fractures and COVID-19. Road traffic injuries remained a common cause of injury and domestic injuries became more prevalent with lockdown. Social isolation negatively affected mental health resulting in several orthopedic injuries. Telehealth services and separation for COVID-positive and COVID-negative patients benefited both patients and providers. While hospitals and medical facilities are still facing COVID-19 case surges, it is important to understand how this pandemic has impacted preparation, care, and opportunities for prevention education and ongoing care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunice Obamiro
- Department of Surgery,Division of Trauma & Surgical Critical Care, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ 07754, United States
| | - Radhika Trivedi
- Department of Surgery,Division of Trauma & Surgical Critical Care, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ 07754, United States
| | - Nasim Ahmed
- Department of Surgery,Division of Trauma & Surgical Critical Care, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ 07754, United States
- Department of Surgery, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ 07110, United States
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Albright JA, Testa EJ, Testa JW, Marcaccio S, Meghani O, Owens BD. Trends in Lower Extremity Injuries Presenting to Emergency Departments During the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Emerg Med 2022; 63:169-177. [PMID: 35842336 PMCID: PMC9061134 DOI: 10.1016/j.jemermed.2022.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background During the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, there were substantial changes in U.S. emergency department (ED) volumes and acuity of patient presentation compared with more recent years. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to characterize the incidence of specific lower extremity (LE) injuries presenting to U.S. EDs during the COVID-19 pandemic and to analyze trends across age groups and rates of hospital admission compared with previous years. Methods The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database was queried to identify patients who presented to U.S. EDs for a LE orthopedic injury between 2016 and 2020. Results These queries returned 252,656 cases, representing a total estimate of 9,740,514 injuries presenting to EDs across the United States. The mean incidence of LE orthopedic injuries was 596.8 injuries per 100,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 594.9–598.7), with the greatest annual decrease in incidence occurring between 2019 and 2020 (24.96%). The largest number of estimated hospital admissions occurred in 2020, with a total 181,671 admissions (95% CI 178,032–185,311), a 25.74% increase from the average number of admissions between 2016 and 2019. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has placed immense stress on both emergency medical services and hospital systems around the United States. While there were decreased rates of ED utilization for LE orthopedic complaints during the first year of the pandemic, there was a concomitant increase in both the number and proportion of these injuries admitted to the hospital from the ED. This places an additional burden on already stressed emergency medicine services and overall hospital systems that could slow down the management of medical emergencies.
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