Impact on neurosurgical management in Level 1 trauma centers during COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions: The Santa Clara County experience

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, policies reduced public activity and elective surgeries, focusing neurosurgical care on emergencies. This study looks at how trauma centers handled neurosurgical trauma cases to help with planning resource allocation during similar events. The study found a decrease in TBI and spinal fractures and neurosurgical consults, but no changes in neurosurgical admissions or procedures.

• 1
  There was a decrease in the number of TBI and spinal fractures during the post-policy period.
• 2
  There was a decrease in neurosurgical consults during the post-policy period.
• 3
  Neurosurgical procedures and admissions were not statistically decreased in the post-policy period.
• 4
  Neurosurgical services were similarly rendered between the academic and community hospitals.