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- Talk
- 15/06/2021
- Canada
The Acute Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Presenting with Orthopaedic Injuries Across a Canadian Academic, Orthopaedic Trauma System: A Multi-Centre, Pre-Post Observational Cohort Study
Description
The presentation, led by Kyle Gouveia, an incoming resident in orthopedics at McMaster University, explores the research titled "The Acute Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Presenting with Orthopedic Injuries Across a Canadian Academic Orthopedic Trauma System." In the face of significant changes in hospital operations since mid-March, Gouveia discusses a retrospective cohort study analyzing orthopedic consultations during the pandemic compared to the previous year. The study particularly focuses on rates of referrals, patient demographics, types of consultations, and mechanisms of injury across four time periods.
Key findings reveal a 30% drop in orthopedic consultations, emphasizing changes in patient profiles, with fewer single extremity trauma cases, yet consistent rates of hip fractures and other serious injuries. The study further investigates trauma team activations, highlighting similarities in serious cases despite a decline in overall consults. The analysis identifies an increased proportion of injuries resulting from falls at standing height while noting a drastic decrease in sports-related injuries.
Gouveia concludes the presentation by stressing the importance of resource allocation for urgent orthopedic care and hints at future research directions, including a broader review of patient trends and the integration of virtual care in orthopedic practices.