The COVID-19 pandemic demanded changes in healthcare systems worldwide. The lockdown brought about difficulties in healthcare access. However, trauma still required further attention considering its modifications. The presented study aims to investigate the variances in epidemiological patterns of trauma during the lockdown and the previous year, with a view to better understand the modifications in healthcare provision. The authors analyzed data from the first lockdown in 2020 (12 March–30 May) and the same period in 2019 from 35 hospitals in Lublin Province. A total of 10,806 patients in 2019 and 5212 patients in 2020 were included in the research. The uncovered changes adhered to the total admissions and mortality rate, the frequency of injuries in particular body regions, and injury mechanisms. The lockdown period resulted in a reduction in trauma, requiring an altered approach to healthcare provision. Our research indicates that the altered approach facilitated during such periods is essential for delivering tailored help to trauma patients.

Introduction: Traumatic injuries are a significant global health concern, with profound medical and socioeconomic impacts. This study explores the patterns of trauma-related hospitalizations in the Lublin Province of Poland, with a particular focus on the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aim of the Study: The primary aim of this research was to assess the trends in trauma admissions, the average length of hospital stays, and mortality rates associated with different types of injuries, comparing urban and rural settings over two distinct time periods: 2018–2019 and 2020–2021. Methods: This descriptive study analyzed trauma admission data from 35 hospitals in the Lublin Province, as recorded in the National General Hospital Morbidity Study (NGHMS). Patients were classified based on the International Classification of Diseases Revision 10 (ICD-10) codes. The data were compared for two periods: an 11-week span during the initial COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and the equivalent period in 2019. Results: The study found a decrease in overall trauma admissions during the pandemic years (11,394 in 2020–2021 compared to 17,773 in 2018–2019). Notably, the average length of hospitalization increased during the pandemic, especially in rural areas (from 3.5 days in 2018–2019 to 5.5 days in 2020–2021 for head injuries). Male patients predominantly suffered from trauma, with a notable rise in female admissions for abdominal injuries during the pandemic. The maximal hospitalization days were higher in rural areas for head and neck injuries during the pandemic. Conclusions: The study highlights significant disparities in trauma care between urban and rural areas and between the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. It underscores the need for healthcare systems to adapt to changing circumstances, particularly in rural settings, and calls for targeted strategies to address the specific challenges faced in trauma care during public health crises.