The impact of COVID 19 pandemic on emergency traumatology service: experience from an Italian red zone

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the accesses to the ER at Department of Orthopedic and Trau matology Unit of Ferrara (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) during the “phase 1” of the pandemic compared to the same period in 2019. METHODS: All patients managed in the orthopedic ER of Sant’Anna University Hospital (Ferrara, Italy) from March 8th to May 4th 2019 and 2020 were included in this retrospective study. RESULTS: Our analysis shows an overall reduction in emergency room access but not a reduction in hospitalizations and femur fractures and a change in the reason for admission and the subsequent demographics of patients admitted. CONCLUSIONS: The results also highlighted the inappropriate use of emergency rooms in the non-COVID period.