Abstract

Background

The COVID-19 a pandemic changed the world. Public health directives to socially distance with stay-at-home orders altered injury risk factor exposure, resulting injury patterns and conducting injury prevention (IP). The objective of this study was to determine the impact the COVID-19 pandemic on injury and IP at North American trauma centers (TC).

Results

Sixty-two responses were received from pediatric (44%), adult (11%), and combined (31%) TC, from 22 American states, 5 Canadian provinces and Australia. The majority (91%) of programs targeted age groups from birth to 15 years old. Nearly one-third reported IP to be less of an institutional priority with funding redistributed in 15% of centers [median (IQR) − 25% (− 43, 1)], and resultant staffing changes at 38% of centers. A decrease in IP efforts was reported at 64% of TC. Overall, the majority of respondents reviewed injury data, with the top reported increased mechanisms mainly intentional: Firearm-related (75%), assaults (72%), and abuse (71%). Leading increased unintentional injuries were injuries occurring in the home such as falls (70%), followed by ATV (62%), and cycling (57%). Sites pivoted by presenting (74%) or participating (73%) in IP education virtually, social media posts (61%) and the addition of technology (29%). Top barriers were redeployment of partners (45%) and staff (31%), as well as lack of technology (40%) in the target population. Facilitators were technology at TC (74%), support of trauma program (63%), and having IP funding maintained (55%).

Conclusions

Nearly two-thirds of TC decreased IP efforts during the pandemic due to staffing and funding reductions. The leading reported increased injuries were intentional, indicating that violence prevention is needed, along with support for mental health. While TC successfully pivoted by using technology, access issues in the target population was a barrier resulting in health inequities.

Details

Title
Pivoting injury prevention efforts during a pandemic: results of an international survey
Author
Charyk Stewart, Tanya 1 ; Unni, Purnima 2 ; Hanson, Holly Renee 2 ; Gilliland, Jason 3 ; Clark, Andrew 4 ; Fraser, Douglas D. 5 

 London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada (GRID:grid.412745.1) (ISNI:0000 0000 9132 1600); Western University, Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Canada (GRID:grid.39381.30) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8884); Western University, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Canada (GRID:grid.39381.30) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8884); Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada (GRID:grid.415847.b) (ISNI:0000 0001 0556 2414) 
 Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, USA (GRID:grid.416074.0) (ISNI:0000 0004 0433 6783) 
 Western University, Department of Geography and Environment, London, Canada (GRID:grid.39381.30) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8884); Western University, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Canada (GRID:grid.39381.30) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8884); Western University, School of Health Studies, London, Canada (GRID:grid.39381.30) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8884); Children’s Health Research Institute, London, Canada (GRID:grid.413953.9) 
 Fanshawe College, School of Design, London, Canada (GRID:grid.421324.2) (ISNI:0000 0001 0487 5961) 
 London Health Sciences Centre, London, Canada (GRID:grid.412745.1) (ISNI:0000 0000 9132 1600); Western University, Department of Paediatrics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, London, Canada (GRID:grid.39381.30) (ISNI:0000 0004 1936 8884); Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Canada (GRID:grid.415847.b) (ISNI:0000 0001 0556 2414); Children’s Health Research Institute, London, Canada (GRID:grid.413953.9) 
Pages
59
Publication year
2023
Publication date
Dec 2023
Publisher
Springer Nature B.V.
e-ISSN
21971714
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2890582973
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2023. This work is published under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.