Neurotrauma admissions and COVID-19: a National Centre experience

Abstract

Background To investigate the impact of COVID-19 on trauma admissions to a National Neurosurgical Centre in Ireland. Methods Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all trauma admissions to the National Neurosurgical Centre at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, during the period March 1 to May 31, 2019 and 2020. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality rate. Secondary outcomes included time transfer time, time from admission to time of surgery, and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. Patients under the age of 16 were excluded. Results A total of 32 and 39 patients were admitted to the National Neurosurgical Centre following trauma over the 3-month period in 2020 and 2019 respectively, giving a 17.9% reduction in admissions. The 30-day mortality rate increased from 7.7% in 2019 to 15.6% on 2020 ( p = 0.45). Mean transfer time was 4 h 58 min in 2019 and 3 h 55 min in 2020 (0.22). Mean time from admission to time of surgery was 9 h 10 min in 2019 and 5 h 37 min in 2020 respectively ( p = 0.35). In 2019, 20 patients (51.3%) were admitted to ICU. This increased to 23 patients (69.7%) in 2020 ( p = 0.08). Conclusions Traumatic brain injury 30-day mortality rates increased during the first COVID-19 lockdown period. Trauma admission rates to ICU remained unchanged despite an overall reduction in trauma admissions. Transfer time, time to surgery, and length of stay were impacted by COVID-19. Despite the challenges COVID-19 has posed, it is important to maintain a fully functioning neurosurgical and neurocritical care service during the pandemic.

Enhanced neurotrauma services: physician input into traumatic brain injury care

“…However, we believe that our findings are robust and reflect a true improvement in TBI care, as we alone report a reduction in LOS while others saw both an increase in head injury severity and an increase in LOS during the pandemic. 12,13 Furthermore, the QIP was paused during staff redeployment.…”

Traumatic Brain Injury during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemics in Slovenia: A Single Center Study

“…Changes in daily life were also visible in the epidemiology of TBI. Retrograde analysis from single-centers in Austria [ 19 ], Italy [ 20 ], France [ 21 ], Finland [ 22 ], the Netherlands [ 23 ], Ireland [ 24 ], and a multi-center study from Austria, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland [ 25 ], as well as studies around the world [ 26 , 27 ], demonstrated a decreased number of TBI cases in comparison with previous years and months preceding the pandemic. In addition, the mechanism of the injuries, patterns, severity, and outcomes were also influenced by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.…”