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Jojczuk M, Pawlikowski J, Kamiński P, Głuchowski D, Naylor K, Gajewski J, Karpiński R, Krakowski P, Jonak J, Nogalski A, Czerwiński D. Evaluating Changes in Trauma Epidemiology during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Insights and Implications for Public Health and Disaster Preparedness. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:2436. [PMID: 37685470 PMCID: PMC10486767 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11172436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic demanded changes in healthcare systems worldwide. The lockdown brought about difficulties in healthcare access. However, trauma still required further attention considering its modifications. The presented study aims to investigate the variances in epidemiological patterns of trauma during the lockdown and the previous year, with a view to better understand the modifications in healthcare provision. The authors analyzed data from the first lockdown in 2020 (12 March-30 May) and the same period in 2019 from 35 hospitals in Lublin Province. A total of 10,806 patients in 2019 and 5212 patients in 2020 were included in the research. The uncovered changes adhered to the total admissions and mortality rate, the frequency of injuries in particular body regions, and injury mechanisms. The lockdown period resulted in a reduction in trauma, requiring an altered approach to healthcare provision. Our research indicates that the altered approach facilitated during such periods is essential for delivering tailored help to trauma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariusz Jojczuk
- Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.J.); (P.K.); (A.N.)
| | - Jakub Pawlikowski
- Department of Humanities and Social Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Piotr Kamiński
- Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.J.); (P.K.); (A.N.)
| | - Dariusz Głuchowski
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland; (D.G.)
| | - Katarzyna Naylor
- Independent Unit of Emergency Medical Services and Specialist Emergency, Medical University of Lublin, Chodzki 7, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
| | - Jakub Gajewski
- Department of Machine Design and Mechatronics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland; (J.G.)
| | - Robert Karpiński
- Department of Machine Design and Mechatronics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland; (J.G.)
- I Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, 20-439 Lublin, Poland
| | - Przemysław Krakowski
- Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.J.); (P.K.); (A.N.)
- Orthopaedic and Sports Traumatology Department, Carolina Medical Center, Pory 78, 02-757 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Józef Jonak
- Department of Machine Design and Mechatronics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland; (J.G.)
| | - Adam Nogalski
- Department of Trauma Surgery and Emergency Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.J.); (P.K.); (A.N.)
| | - Dariusz Czerwiński
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Technology, 20-618 Lublin, Poland; (D.G.)
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Pisl V, Vevera J, Štěpánek L, Volavka J. Changes in ambulance departures for assault calls during COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Aggress Behav 2023; 49:76-84. [PMID: 36305480 PMCID: PMC9874533 DOI: 10.1002/ab.22055] [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: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Restrictions related to COVID-19 changed the daily behavior of people, including the expression of violence. Although an increased incidence of violent behavior, especially domestic violence, was expected during the pandemic, retrospective analyses have yielded mixed results. Records of ambulance departures to address injuries caused by assaults in the Pilsen region, Czech Republic, during the restrictive measures during the national state of emergency were compared to data from 3 previous years using general linear models. The number and severity of assaults were analyzed for the whole sample and separately for patients of either sex, for residential or nonresidential locations, and for domestic violence. Controlling for the seasonal effects, the number of assaults decreased by 39% during the pandemic restrictions compared to the 3 previous years. No difference was found between the effects of restrictions on assaults resulting in an injury of a male or female patient. The decrease was specifically pronounced in the sample of assaults in nonresidential locations, while no effect of restrictions was observed in assaults in residential locations and domestic assaults. Pandemic restrictions were associated with a decreased incidence of violent assaults that required ambulance services. Although the incidence decreased especially in those assaulted outside of their homes, we found no support for an increase in domestic violence or violence against women. Pandemic restrictions may have served as a protective rather than a risk factor for assaults severe enough to warrant a call for ambulance services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vojtech Pisl
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in PilsenCharles UniversityPlzeňCzech Republic
| | - Jan Vevera
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in PilsenCharles UniversityPlzeňCzech Republic,Department of PsychiatryInstitute for Postgraduate Medical EducationPragueCzech Republic
| | - Lubomír Štěpánek
- Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, First Faculty of MedicineCharles UniversityPlzeňCzech Republic
| | - Jan Volavka
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital in PilsenCharles UniversityPlzeňCzech Republic,Department of Psychiatry, School of MedicineNew York University (Emeritus)New YorkNew YorkUSA
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