• Dirk Wähnert, Christian Colcuc, Georg Beyer, Markus Kache, Adrian Komadinic, and Thomas Vordemvenne.
• Protestant Hospital of Bethel Foundation, Department of Trauma Surgery and Orthopaedics, University Hospital OWL of Bielefeld University, Campus Bielefeld-Bethel, Burgsteig 13, 33617, Bielefeld, Germany.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2022 Apr 1; 48 (2): 841-846.

PurposeThe effects of the first pandemic wave on a German Level I Trauma Center should be evaluated to find ways to redistribute structural, personnel, and financial resources in a targeted manner in preparation for the assumed second pandemic wave.MethodsWe examined the repercussions of the first wave of the pandemic on the trauma surgery clinic of a Level I Trauma Center and compared the data with data from 58 other trauma clinics. The results could aid in orientating the distribution of structural, financial, and human resources (HR) during the second wave. The period between March 16 and April 30, 2020 was compared with the data over the same period during 2019. Information was collected from the HR department, central revenue management, and internal documentation.ResultsThe proportion of trauma surgical patients in the emergency room decreased by 22%. The number of polytrauma cases increased by 53%. Hospital days of trauma surgery patients in the intensive and intermediate care wards increased by 90%. The number of operations decreased by 15%, although the operating time outside of normal working hours increased by 44%. Clinics with more than 600 beds recorded a decrease in cases and emergencies by 8 and 9%, respectively, while the Trauma Center showed an increase of 19 and 12%. The results reflect the importance of level I trauma centers in the lockdown phase.ConclusionTo reduce the risk of an increased burden on the healthcare infrastructure, it suggests the care of trauma and COVID-19 patients should be separated locally, when possible.© 2021. The Author(s).

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