Early Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Burn Injuries, Admissions, and Care in a Statewide Burn Service

Abstract

Anecdotal evidence from specialist burn clinicians suggested patient numbers and workloads increased during lockdown periods. This study aimed to describe the impact of the early COVID-19-related public health control measures (i.e., lockdowns) on burn injuries, hospital admissions, and care in a statewide burn service. We examined admissions data from The Victorian Adult Burns Service (located at the Alfred Hospital) and the Royal Children’s Hospital Burns Service—both of which contribute to the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand—during lockdown periods between March and October 2020, compared to the same periods in previous years. There were 714 patients admitted during the control period and 186 during the COVID-19 period. Burns sustained during COVID-19 lockdowns were larger in size. During COVID-19 lockdowns a greater proportion of patients were admitted to intensive care. Although the number of burn-related admissions did not increase during lockdowns, burn injuries that did occur were more severe (i.e., affected a greater percentage of body surface area). These more severe injuries placed an additional and significant burden on an already strained healthcare system. Future public health messaging should include prevention information to minimize the number of injuries occurring during lockdowns and other responses.