Abstract
BackgroundThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had profound implications on healthcare institutions.AimsThis study aims to assess and compare referral patterns during COVID-19 to corresponding dates for the preceding 3 years (2017–2019), in order to preemptively coordinate the logistics of the surgical unit for similar future experiences.MethodsRetrospective review for our institution, a national tertiary referral centre for spine pathology. Two distinct time-points were chosen to represent the varied levels of social restriction during the current pandemic: (i) study period 1 (SP1) from 11 November 2020 to 08 June 2020 represents a national lockdown, and (ii) study period 2 (SP2) from 09 June 2020 to 09 September 2020 indicates an easing of restrictions. Both periods were compared to corresponding dates (CP1: 11 March–08 June and CP2 09 June–09 September) for the preceding 3 years (2017–2019). Data collected included age, gender, and mechanism of injury (MOI) for descriptive analyses. MOIs were categorised into disc disease, cyclist, road-traffic-accident (RTA), falls < 2 m, falls > 2 m, malignancy, sporting injuries, and miscellaneous.ResultsAll MOI categories witnessed a reduction in referral numbers during SP1: disc disease (−29%), cyclist (−5%), RTAs (−66%), falls < 2 m (−39%), falls > 2 m (−17%), malignancy (−33%), sporting injuries (−100%), and miscellaneous (−58%). Four of 8 categories (RTAs, falls < 2 m, malignancy, miscellaneous) showed a trend towards return of pre-lockdown values during SP2. Two categories (disc disease, falls > 2 m) showed a further reduction (−34%, −27%) during SP2. One category (sporting injuries) portrayed a complete return to normal values during SP2 while a notable increase in cyclist-related referrals was witnessed (+ 63%) when compared with corresponding dates of previous years.ConclusionSpinal injury continues to occur across almost all categories, albeit at considerably reduced numbers. RTAs and falls remained the most common MOI. Awareness needs to be drawn to the reduction of malignancy-related referrals to dissuade people with such symptoms from avoiding presentation to hospital over periods of social restrictions.
Highlights
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, more commonly known as COVID-19, has had profound implications on global healthcare systems
All mechanism of injury (MOI) categories witnessed a reduction in referral numbers during study period 1 (SP1): disc disease (−29%), cyclist (−5%), RTAs
Awareness needs to be drawn to the reduction of malignancy-related referrals to dissuade people with such symptoms from avoiding presentation to hospital over periods of social restrictions
Summary
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, more commonly known as COVID-19, has had profound implications on global healthcare systems. The situation at our institution, a national tertiary referral centre for spine pathology, reflects these reports. There has been a dramatic reduction in the amount of patient contact in clinics with patients being assessed virtually where possible [4]. While the efficacy of telemedicine is evident throughout literature, it does not encompass the trauma. CoV-2 pandemic has had profound implications on healthcare institutions
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