COVID-19 PANDEMIC EFFECTS IN THE GERIATRIC TRAUMA POPULATION: REVELRY AD MALUM?

Objectives: Reported effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on geriatric trauma have been variable. The aim of our study was to investigate the characteristics of geriatric trauma, including alcohol use, during the pandemic at our center.

Methods: Our ACS verified, level 1 trauma center database was queried for all patients age >= 65 presenting between 3/1/2020 and 10/30/2020. Data from March to October of 2017 through 2019 served as a control. Patient variables analyzed included demographics, mechanisms, injury severity score (ISS) and positive blood alcohol.

Results: Overall geriatric trauma volumes increased by 2.4% during the pandemic (605 vs 591/average). Pandemic patients had a similar age, gender, and ethnicity. TRISS, ISS, in-patient mortality and hospital length of stay were similar. Mechanism of injury distribution was similar, as were the specific rates of falls, transportation injury and firearm injury. ICU admission rates and median ICU length of stay were similar. Mechanical ventilation rates were similar; however, pandemic patients had a longer median duration of mechanical ventilation (3.0 [2.0-7.5] vs 2.0 [1.0-6.0] days, p =0.038). Rates of positive blood alcohol at evaluation were significantly higher during the pandemic (16.0% vs 6.3%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Geriatric trauma volumes increased minimally during the pandemic. Patient characteristics were similar with the exception of longer pandemic mechanical ventilation days. Pandemic rates of positive alcohol during trauma evaluation increased by almost 10% compared to pre-pandemic levels. This suggests the need for targeted alcohol assessment and interventions in the geriatric population during pandemics and other periods of social isolation.