Early comprehensive testing for COVID-19 is essential to protect trauma centers

CONCLUSION Forty-five percent of trauma patients are asymptomatic at the time of SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Respiratory symptoms, as well as verbal screening (recent fevers, shortness of breath, cough, international travel, and close contact with known SARS-CoV-2 carriers), are inaccurate in the trauma population. These findings demonstrate the need for comprehensive rapid testing of all trauma patients upon presentation to the trauma bay. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Diagnostic tests or criteria, level III, Therapeutic/care management, level IV.
Source: Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery - Category: Surgery Tags: ORIGINAL ARTICLES Source Type: research