SCCM Resource Library-Care of the Critically Injured Patient: Trends Expected for 2021 and Beyond

Pdf Summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. hospitals, including trauma centers, adapted to handle critically ill patients, highlighting the significance of an all-hazards approach to disaster preparedness. This approach was essential amid rising cases of both gun violence and traffic injuries. In 2020 and 2021, gun violence sharply increased, with New York City shooting incidents rising by 97% and Chicago by 35%. Gun violence-related homicides increased by nearly 25% nationwide. Traffic fatalities also rose by 7.2% in 2020, despite fewer vehicles on the road due to lockdown measures. While traffic volume decreased, certain crash types like single-vehicle and alcohol-related crashes saw significant rises.<br /><br />The pandemic emphasized social issues, such as isolation due to lockdowns, unemployment, and mental health service shortages, contributing to the rising trends of violence and accidents. Trauma centers, like the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center, played a pivotal role in responding to the crisis. Their existing infrastructure allowed for the expansion of specialized care units, including the lung rescue unit (LRU) and critical care resuscitation unit dedicated to advanced treatments like ECMO for COVID-19 patients. During the pandemic's peak, they handled a significant surge in patients, demonstrating adaptability in disaster response.<br /><br />As vaccination rates increased and COVID-19 cases declined in 2021, injury volumes from violence and vehicular incidents remain high. Looking forward, healthcare systems must continue developing best practices for future emergencies, utilizing the adaptability of trauma centers and fostering preparedness for unforeseen disasters.<br /><br />This report emphasizes the ongoing need for trauma centers' preparedness and their role in addressing both pandemic-related and traditional trauma cases, highlighting the importance of a robust emergency response infrastructure.

Asset Subtitle

Crisis Management, Trauma, 2021, 00:06:12

Asset Caption

This article was first published in the Summer 2021 issue of Critical Connections.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, overwhelmed hospital systems required intensivists of all specialties to care for critically ill patients with COVID-19. All types of patients treated and admitted to hospitals had significant variations from baseline. As part of statewide, regional, and national systems, trauma centers use an all-hazards approach to disaster preparedness and are poised to respond to situations such as pandemics. This article covers trends and care of injured patients in the United States during the pandemic as well as a look into possible trends for the future.

Critical Connections, the critical care industry's only newsmagazine, provides information on cutting-edge topics in critical care useful to the entire multiprofessional team.

Luke J. Duncan, MD
Daniel J. Haase, MD, RDMS, RDCS
Deborah A. Kuhls, MD, FACS, FCCM

Meta Tag

Content Type Article

Knowledge Area Crisis Management

Knowledge Area Trauma

Knowledge Level Foundational

Knowledge Level Intermediate

Knowledge Level Advanced

Membership Level Select

Membership Level Professional

Membership Level Associate

Tag COVID-19

Tag Resource Allocation

Year 2021

Keywords

COVID-19 pandemic

U.S. hospitals

disaster preparedness

gun violence

traffic fatalities

social issues

trauma centers

critical care

vaccination rates

emergency response

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