Algorithm of traumatic brain injury management at Indonesia in the COVID 19 pandemic ERA. Retrospective cohort study

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19, a global pandemic, affects neurosurgical care in Indonesia. This study has objective to propose guideline and algorithm recommendation for the management of TBI patients during this pandemic, which can be used flexibly at neurosurgery centers, both in Indonesia and throughout the world. METHODS: We performed retrospective Cohort analysis from TBI database at tertiary public general hospitals. All neurotrauma cases from mid-February until mid-August 2020 was included in this study. The chronology of COVID-19 pandemics impact in Indonesia was defined by early period from mid-February until end of May 2020, and late period are latter. All subjects undergone the screening and perioperative measures that based on our proposes scoring system and algorithm as follows. RESULTS: There are many guidelines that explain screening methods in neurosurgery patients in general, as well as neurotrauma in particular. But here, we proposed our own scoring and screening algorithm that has been developed based on conditions in Indonesia. In total of 757 neurotrauma cases data were collected from the pandemic starts in Indonesia. DISCUSSION: Screening is a crucial initial step in this pandemic period, not only for COVID patients, but also all patients who enter the emergency room. The use of PPE is a necessity in several neurosurgery centers, especially with high COVID-19 case rates. CONCLUSION: The management of neurotrauma patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 requires special attention, starting from admission of the patient in ER. Rapid scoring and screening are important and the highest level of PPE is mandatory during patient care.