A dual-site trauma system during COVID-19 pandemic – Our experience in a high-risk area with 60-day mortality report

Wickramarachchi, Lilanthi; Peters, Jonathan; Thakrar, Amit; Wong, James ML.; Mazis, George; Beckles, Verona; Lacey, Sandra; Chin, Kuen

AIM: We set up a COVID–free trauma site due to the high rates of COVID-19 infections within our hospital. We aimed to determine the incidence of post-operative COVID-19 infection within the first two weeks post-treatment at the COVID-free site and the postoperative mortality rate. We analysed data for non-hip fracture and fragility hip fracture patients separately. METHOD: Data was collected for 138 patients presented during the study period, having 147 operations in total. 103 were non-hip fracture patients and 35 were hip fracture patients. RESULTS: All patients were followed up and none of the non-hip fracture cohort developed symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Postoperative 60-day mortality rate for this cohort was 0.97%. Of the 35 hip fracture patients, none were tested positive for COVID-19. However, two patients were treated as suspected COVID cases due to their symptoms. CONCLUSION: Establishing a separate site with screening for COVID-19 infection can allow safe emergency surgery.