TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Changes in patterns of trauma injuries in the Dakotas region during the COVID-19 pandemic
JO  - American surgeon
A1  - Sarli, Adrian C.
A1  - Sang, Hilla I.
A1  - Syverson, Deb J.
A1  - Axtman, Benjamin
A1  - Bjordahl, Paul
A1  - Ahmeti, Mentor
SP  - ePub
EP  - ePub
VL  - ePub
IS  - ePub
N2  - BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to compare impact of COVID-19 on trauma volume and characteristics on a set of trauma centers with a rural catchment area. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected different parts of the country quite differently, both in case volume and in local responses. State-wide responses have varied considerably, including variations in local mask mandates, school closures, and social distancing measures. <br><br>METHODS: This was a retrospective trauma registry review of patients who were admitted to three of the tertiary care trauma centers in North and South Dakota between 2014 through 2022. <br><br>RESULTS: In the analysis of 36,397 patients, we found a significant increase in trauma patient volume during the COVID-19 pandemic, with an increased percentage of patients presenting with a mechanism of injury secondary to abuse or assault. This increase in patient volume continued to rise during 2021 and 2022. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted trauma center admissions in the rural and frontier Midwest differently from more urban areas, and the importance of including a variety of settings in trauma research.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0003-1348
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00031348241241722
ID  - ref1
ER  -