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Loftin MC, Zynda AJ, Pollard-McGrandy A, Eke R, Covassin T, Wallace J. Racial differences in concussion diagnosis and mechanism of injury among adults presenting to emergency departments across the United States. Brain Inj 2023; 37:1326-1333. [PMID: 37607067 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2023.2248581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to examine the association between race and concussion diagnosis as well as the association between race and mechanism of injury (MOI) for concussion diagnoses in adult patients (>19 years old) visiting the emergency department (ED). METHODS A retrospective analysis of patient visits to the ED for concussion between 2010 and 2018, using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, was conducted. Outcome measures included concussion diagnosis and MOI. Multivariable and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations between race and outcome variables. The results were weighted to reflect population estimates with a significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS Overall, 714 patient visits for concussions were identified, representing an estimated 4.3 million visits nationwide. Black adults had lower odds of receiving a concussion diagnosis [p < 0.05, Odds Ratio (OR), 0.54; 95% Confidence Interval (CI), 0.38-0.76] compared to White adults in the ED. There were no significant differences in MOI for a concussion diagnosis by race. CONCLUSION Racial differences were found in the ED for concussion diagnosis. Disparities in concussion diagnosis for Black or other minoritized racial groups could have significant repercussions that may prolong recovery or lead to long-term morbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C Loftin
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Aaron J Zynda
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Ransome Eke
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Mercer University, Columbus, Georgia
| | - Tracey Covassin
- Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Jessica Wallace
- Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
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Galicia KE, Haider SD, Reidy LE, Anstadt MJ, Kubasiak JC, Gonzalez RP, Patel PP. Association Between Health Insurance and Outcomes After Traumatic Brain Injury: A National ACS-TQP-PUF Database Study. J Surg Res 2023; 290:16-27. [PMID: 37172499 PMCID: PMC10330247 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2023.03.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION According to the US Census Bureau, roughly 8.6% of the population lacks health care coverage. Increasing evidence suggests that insurance status plays a role in outcomes after trauma. However, its role in the setting of traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains poorly understood. METHODS The Trauma Quality Programs Participant Use Files were queried from 2017 to 2019. All patients with isolated TBI were identified. Isolated TBI was defined as: 1) Head Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) > 3 and 2) AIS <3 in all other anatomical regions. Patients dead on arrival, with Head AIS = 6, or missing key data were excluded. Demographic and clinical information was compared between those with and without insurance. Multivariate regressions were used to assess associations between insurance status and TBI outcomes (inhospital mortality, discharge to facility, total ventilator days, Intensive Care Unit length of stay (ICU LOS), and hospital LOS). RESULTS In total, 199,556 patients met inclusion criteria; 18,957 (9.5%) were uninsured. Compared to the insured, uninsured TBI patients were younger with a greater proportion of males. Uninsured patients were less severely injured and less comorbid. Uninsured patients had shorter unadjusted LOS in the ICU and hospital. Yet, uninsured patients experienced greater unadjusted inhospital mortality (12.7% versus 8.4%, P < 0.001). When controlling for covariates, lack of insurance was significantly associated with increased likelihood of mortality (OR 1.62; P < 0.001). This effect was most noticeable in patients with Head AIS = 4 (OR 1.55; P < 0.001) and Head AIS = 5 (OR 1.80; P < 0.001). Lack of insurance was also significantly associated with decreased likelihood of discharge to facility (OR 0.38), decreased ICU LOS (Coeff. -0.61), and decreased hospital LOS (Coeff. -0.82; all P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that insurance status is independently associated with outcome disparities after isolated TBI. Despite the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reform, lack of insurance appears significantly associated with inhospital mortality, decreased likelihood of discharge to facility, and decreased time spent in the ICU and hospital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin E Galicia
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois; Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Sarah D Haider
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois.
| | - Lauren E Reidy
- Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Michael J Anstadt
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois
| | - John C Kubasiak
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois; Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Richard P Gonzalez
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois; Burn and Shock Trauma Research Institute, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Health Sciences Division, Maywood, Illinois
| | - Purvi P Patel
- Department of Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois
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Johnson LW, Diaz I. Exploring the Social Determinants of Health and Health Disparities in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Scoping Review. Brain Sci 2023; 13:brainsci13050707. [PMID: 37239178 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13050707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health concern, that can leave lasting physical, cognitive, and/or behavioral changes for many who sustain this type of injury. Because of the heterogeneity of this population, development of appropriate intervention tools can be difficult. Social determinants of health (SDoH) are factors that may impact TBI incidence, recovery, and outcome. The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze the existing literature regarding the prevailing SDoH and health disparities (HDs) associated with TBI in adults. A scoping review, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework was used to explore three electronic databases-PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL. Searches identified peer-reviewed empirical literature addressing aspects of SDoH and HDs related to TBI. A total of 123 records were identified and reduced to 27 studies based on inclusion criteria. Results revealed race/ethnicity was the most commonly reported SDoH impacting TBI, followed by an individual's insurance status. Health disparities were noted to occur across the continuum of TBI, including TBI risk, acute hospitalization, rehabilitation, and recovery. The most frequently reported HD was that Whites are more likely to be discharged to inpatient rehabilitation compared to racial/ethnic minorities. Health disparities associated with TBI are most commonly associated with the race/ethnicity SDoH, though insurance status and socioeconomic status commonly influence health inequities as well. The additional need for evidence related to the impact of other, lesser researched, SDoH is discussed, as well as clinical implications that can be used to target intervention for at-risk groups using an individual's known SDoH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie W Johnson
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
| | - Isabella Diaz
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC 27707, USA
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Miller T, Kallenbach MD, Huber DL, Brett BL, Nelson LD. Relationship Between Neighborhood Disadvantage and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2023; 38:165-174. [PMID: 36731041 PMCID: PMC9998328 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypotheses that (1) higher neighborhood disadvantage is associated with greater injury-related symptom severity in civilians with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and (2) neighborhood disadvantage remains predictive after controlling for other established predictors. SETTING Level 1 trauma center and affiliated academic medical center. PARTICIPANTS N = 171 individuals with mTBI. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. MAIN MEASURES Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) total score assessed less than 24 hours and at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months postinjury. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the relationship between predictor variables and mTBI-related symptom burden (RPQ score). Neighborhood disadvantage was quantified by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), a composite of 17 markers of socioeconomic position (SEP) scored at the census block group level. RESULTS Individuals in the upper ADI quartile of the national distribution displayed higher RPQ symptoms than those in the lower 3 quartiles ( P < .001), with a nonsignificant ADI × visit interaction ( P = .903). In a multivariable model, the effect of ADI remained significant ( P = .034) after adjusting for demographics, individual SEP, and injury factors. Other unique predictors in the multivariable model were gender (gender × visit P = .035), health insurance type ( P = .017), and injury-related litigation ( P = .012). CONCLUSION Neighborhood disadvantage as quantified by the ADI is robustly associated with greater mTBI-related symptom burden throughout the first 6 months postinjury. That the effect of ADI remained after controlling for demographics, individual SEP, and injury characteristics implies that neighborhood disadvantage is an important, understudied factor contributing to clinical recovery from mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Miller
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
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Reilly AS, Khawaja AM, Ali AB, Madsen T, Molino-Bacic J, Heffernan DS, Zonfrillo MR, Vaitkevicius H, Gormley WB, Izzy S, Rao SS. Disparities in Decompressive Cranial Surgery Utilization in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury Patients without a Primary Extra-Axial Hematoma: A U.S. Nationwide Study. World Neurosurg 2023; 169:e16-e28. [PMID: 36202343 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2022.09.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Decompressive craniectomy is recommended to reduce mortality in severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Disparities exist in TBI treatment outcomes; however, data on disparities pertaining to decompressive craniectomy utilization is lacking. We investigated these disparities, focusing on race, insurance, sex, and age. METHODS Hospitalizations (2004-2014) were retrospectively extracted from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. The criteria included are as follows: age ≥18 years and indicators of severe TBI diagnosis. Poor outcomes were defined as discharge to institutional care and death. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the effects of race, insurance, age, and sex, on craniectomy utilization and outcomes. RESULTS Of 349,164 hospitalized patients, 6.8% (n = 23,743) underwent craniectomy. White (odds ratio [OR] = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.44-0.57; P < 0.001) and Black (OR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.32-0.64; P = 0.003) Medicare beneficiaries were less likely to undergo craniectomy. Medicare (P < 0.0001) and Medicaid beneficiaries (P < 0.0001) of all race categories had poorer outcomes than privately insured White patients. Black (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.08-2.34; P = 0.001) patients with private insurance and Black (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.22-1.58; P < 0.0001) Medicaid beneficiaries had poorer outcomes than privately insured White patients (P < 0.0001). Older patients (OR = 0.74, 95%, CI = 0.71-0.76; P < 0.001) were less likely to undergo craniectomy and were more likely to have poorer outcomes. Females (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.76-0.88; P < 0.001) were less likely to undergo craniectomy. CONCLUSIONS There are disparities in race, insurance status, sex, and age in craniectomy utilization and outcome. This data highlights the necessity to appropriately address these disparities, especially race and sex, and actively incorporate these factors in clinical trial design and enrollment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aoife S Reilly
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; RCSI, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Ayaz M Khawaja
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Neurology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Ali Basil Ali
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; RCSI, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tracy Madsen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Janine Molino-Bacic
- Department of Orthopedics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Daithi S Heffernan
- Department of Surgery, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Mark R Zonfrillo
- Department of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | | | - William B Gormley
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Computational Neuroscience Outcomes Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Saef Izzy
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shyam S Rao
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Department of Neurology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Racial Disparity in Placement of Intracranial Pressure Monitoring: A TQIP Analysis. J Am Coll Surg 2023; 236:81-92. [PMID: 36519911 DOI: 10.1097/xcs.0000000000000455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Brain Trauma Foundation recommends intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Race is associated with worse outcomes after TBI. The reasons for racial disparities in clinical decision-making around ICP monitor placement remain unclear. STUDY DESIGN We queried the TQIP database from 2017 to 2019 and included patients 16 years or older, with blunt severe TBI, defined as a head abbreviated injury score 3 or greater. Exclusion criteria were missing race, those without signs of life on admission, length of stay 1 day or less, and AIS of 6 in any body region. The primary outcome was ICP monitor placement, which was calculated using a Poisson regression model with robust SEs while adjusting for confounders. RESULTS A total of 260,814 patients were included: 218,939 White, 29,873 Black, 8,322 Asian, 2,884 American Indian, and 796 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Asian and American Indian patients had the highest rates of midline shift (16.5% and 16.9%). Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders had the highest rates of neurosurgical intervention (19.3%) and ICP monitor placement (6.5%). Asian patients were found to be 19% more likely to receive ICP monitoring (adjusted incident rate ratio 1.19; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.33; p = 0.003], and American Indian patients were 38% less likely (adjusted incident rate ratio 0.62; 95% CI 0.49 to 0.79; p < 0.001), compared with White patients, respectively. No differences were detected between White and Black patients. CONCLUSIONS ICP monitoring use differs by race. Further work is needed to elucidate modifiable causes of this difference in the management of severe TBI.
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Warren KL, García JJ. Centering race/ethnicity: Differences in traumatic brain injury inpatient rehabilitation outcomes. PM R 2022; 14:1430-1438. [PMID: 34773442 DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.12737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persons of color have a higher incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and experience disparities in the quality and quantity of interventions received, discharge disposition, functional outcomes, and mortality rate post TBI. OBJECTIVE To examine racial/ethnic differences in rehabilitation outcomes for patients with TBI. DESIGN Multiyear (2005-2016) and retrospective cohort using secondary data analysis from inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) across the United States. SETTING eRehabData participating IRFs throughout the United States. PATIENTS Forty-one thousand eight hundred forty-seven adults with a diagnosis of TBI, admitted to U.S. eRehabData participating IRFs. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Inpatient rehabilitation functional outcomes and discharge disposition. RESULTS Participants were 41,847 non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), Hispanics, non-Hispanic Asians (NHAs), and non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) aged 18-107 years. NHWs were used as the reference group. NHBs had the longest length of stay (17.65 ± 14.96). At admission, NHB, Hispanic, and NHA races/ethnicities were significantly associated with 1-3 point lower motor, cognitive, and total Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores. NHB race was significantly associated with less than 1-point lower cognitive, motor, and total efficiency FIM scores. At discharge, NHB race was significantly associated with 1-2 point lower motor, cognitive, and total FIM scores; Hispanics and NHA race were associated with less than 1-point lower cognitive FIM scores. Compared to NHWs, Hispanic ethnicity was associated with greater odds of a discharge to home (odds ratio = 1.16, 95% confidence interval = 1.06-1.27). CONCLUSION Contrary to established literature on functionality differences 1 year post TBI, the current study found racial/ethnic differences in functional outcomes during inpatient rehabilitation. These findings suggest a need for cultural competence/sensitivity in the care of racial/ethnic persons and centering potential contributing factors for racial/ethnic differences in TBI rehabilitation outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlita L Warren
- School of Medicine, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, USA
| | - James J García
- Department of Psychology, College of Health & Community Well-Being, University of La Verne, La Verne, California, USA.,Department of Neuropsychology and Psychology, Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, Pomona, California, USA
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Smith D, Santiago J, Castro G, de la Vega PR, Barengo NC. Adequacy of Healthcare by Insurance Type in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients. JOURNAL OF HEALTH MANAGEMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/09720634221128095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant contributor to disability, especially among patients younger than 18 years old in the United States. While insurance is often needed to receive services, studies investigating whether TBI treatment adequacy is dependent on the insurance type are scant. Our objective was to determine whether private insurance in paediatric TBI patients is associated with a higher perceived adequacy of healthcare compared with non-private insurance. This was a cross-sectional study utilising secondary data collected from the National Survey of Children Health 2011/12. The main exposure of interest was the insurance status of children at the time of a TBI (private vs non-private). The study outcome was the perceived adequacy of healthcare, defined as having coverage needs that were usually or always met by insurance. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analysis were used. After adjustments for the covariates, the odds of adequate healthcare among those with non-private insurance compared with those with private were not statistically significant (OR 1.49; 95% CI 0.87–2.55). This study implicates paediatric TBI patients do not believe they receive adequate healthcare independent of insurance status. Clinicians, policy makers, and researchers need to better evaluate and address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Smith
- Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Juan Santiago
- Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Grettel Castro
- Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Noël C. Barengo
- Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Faculty of Medicine, Rīga Stradiņš University, Riga, Latvia
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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DiGiorgio AM, Tantry EK. Commentary: Loss to Follow-up and Unplanned Readmission After Emergent Surgery for Acute Subdural Hematoma. Neurosurgery 2022; 91:e79-e80. [DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Miller GF, Daugherty J, Waltzman D, Sarmiento K. Predictors of traumatic brain injury morbidity and mortality: Examination of data from the national trauma data bank: Predictors of TBI morbidity & mortality. Injury 2021; 52:1138-1144. [PMID: 33551263 PMCID: PMC8107124 DOI: 10.1016/j.injury.2021.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is evidence to suggest that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are increasing in the United States. It is important to examine predictors of TBI outcomes to formulate better prevention and care strategies. RESEARCH DESIGN National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) data from 2016 were used to report the percentage of TBI by age, sex, race/ethnicity, health insurance status, intent/mechanism of injury, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), disposition at emergency department, and trauma center level. Logistic regression models were run to estimate the adjusted odds ratios of patient and facility characteristics on length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality (analyzed in 2020). RESULTS There were 236,873 patients with TBI in the NTDB in 2016. Most patients with a TBI were male, non-Hispanic white, and had sustained a TBI due to an unintentional injury. After adjusting for other factors, individuals age 0-17, those who self-pay, and those with intentional injuries had increased odds of a shorter hospital stay. Older individuals, non-Hispanic black or Hispanic patients, those who had sustained an intentional injury, and those who were not seen in a Level I trauma center had higher odds of mortality following their TBI. CONCLUSIONS Public health professionals' promotion of fall and other TBI prevention efforts and the development of strategies to improve access to Level I trauma centers, may decrease adverse TBI health outcomes. This may be especially important for older adults and other vulnerable populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle F Miller
- Division of Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, Atlanta GA, USA.
| | - Jill Daugherty
- Division of Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, Atlanta GA, USA.
| | - Dana Waltzman
- Division of Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, Atlanta GA, USA.
| | - Kelly Sarmiento
- Division of Injury Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC, Atlanta GA, USA.
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Eliacin J, Yang Z, Kean J, Dixon BE. Characterizing health care utilization following hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury: a retrospective cohort study. Brain Inj 2021; 35:119-129. [PMID: 33356602 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1861650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize health services utilization among individuals hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) 1-year post-injury.Methods: Using a retrospective cohort design, adult patients (n = 32, 042) hospitalized with a traumatic brain injury between 2005 and 2014 were selected from a statewide traumatic brain injury registry. Data on health services utilization for 1-year post-injury were extracted from electronic medical and administrative records. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to characterize the cohort and a subgroup of superutilizers of health services.Results: One year after traumatic brain injury, 56% of participants used emergency department services, 80% received inpatient services, and 93% utilized outpatient health services. Superutilizers had ≥3 emergency department visits, ≥3 inpatient admissions, or ≥26 outpatient visits 1-year post-injury. Twenty-six percent of participants were superutilizers of emergency department services, 30% of inpatient services, and 26% of outpatient services. Superutilizers contributed to 81% of emergency department visits, 70% of inpatient visits, and 60% of outpatient visits. Factors associated with being a superutilizer included sex, race, residence, and insurance type.Conclusions: Several patient characteristics and demographic factors influenced patients' healthcare utilization post-TBI. Findings provide opportunities for developing targeted interventions to improve patients' health and traumatic brain injury-related healthcare delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanne Eliacin
- Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA
- Department of Psychology, Indiana University-Purdue University - Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA
- Health Services Research, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, USA
| | - Ziyi Yang
- Department of Biostatistics, Indiana University-Purdue University - Indianapolis, Indianapolis, USA
| | - Jacob Kean
- Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center, Health Services Research and Development, VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, USA
| | - Brian E Dixon
- Center for Health Information and Communication, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, USA
- Center for Biomedical Informatics, Regenstrief Institute, Indianapolis, USA
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Association of Insurance Status With Treatment and Outcomes in Pediatric Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Crit Care Med 2020; 48:e584-e591. [PMID: 32427612 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000004398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether a health insurance disparity exists among pediatric patients with severe traumatic brain injury using the National Trauma Data Bank. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING National Trauma Data Bank, a dataset containing more than 800 trauma centers in the United States. PATIENTS Pediatric patients (< 18 yr old) with a severe isolated traumatic brain injury were identified in the National Trauma Database (years 2007-2016). Isolated traumatic brain injury was defined as patients with a head Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3+ and excluded those with another regional Abbreviated Injury Scale of 3+. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS Procedure codes were used to identify four primary treatment approaches combined into two classifications: craniotomy/craniectomy and external ventricular draining/intracranial pressure monitoring. Diagnostic criteria and procedure codes were used to identify condition at admission, including hypotension, Glasgow Coma Scale, mechanism and intent of injury, and Injury Severity Score. Children were propensity score matched using condition at admission and other characteristics to estimate multivariable logistic regression models to assess the associations among insurance status, treatment, and outcomes. Among the 12,449 identified patients, 91.0% (n = 11,326) had insurance and 9.0% (n = 1,123) were uninsured. Uninsured patients had worse condition at admission with higher rates of hypotension and higher Injury Severity Score, when compared with publicly and privately insured patients. After propensity score matching, having insurance was associated with a 32% (p = 0.001) and 54% (p < 0.001) increase in the odds of cranial procedures and monitor placement, respectively. Insurance coverage was associated with 25% lower odds of inpatient mortality (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Compared with insured pediatric patients with a traumatic brain injury, uninsured patients were in worse condition at admission and received fewer interventional procedures with a greater odds of inpatient mortality. Equalizing outcomes for uninsured children following traumatic brain injury requires a greater understanding of the factors that lead to worse condition at admission and policies to address treatment disparities if causality can be identified.
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de Jager E, Levine AA, Udyavar NR, Burstin HR, Bhulani N, Hoyt DB, Ko CY, Weissman JS, Britt LD, Haider AH, Maggard-Gibbons MA. Disparities in Surgical Access: A Systematic Literature Review, Conceptual Model, and Evidence Map. J Am Coll Surg 2020; 228:276-298. [PMID: 30803548 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elzerie de Jager
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA; College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adele A Levine
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - N Rhea Udyavar
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | - Nizar Bhulani
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | | | - Clifford Y Ko
- American College of Surgeons, Chicago, IL; Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA; Department of Surgery, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Joel S Weissman
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - L D Britt
- Department of Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA
| | - Adil H Haider
- Center for Surgery and Public Health, Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
| | - Melinda A Maggard-Gibbons
- Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.
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Disparities in Health Care Utilization of Adults With Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Related to Insurance, Race, and Ethnicity: A Systematic Review. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2019; 33:E40-E50. [PMID: 28926481 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize racial/ethnic and insurance disparities in the utilization of healthcare services among US adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS The PubMed database was used to search for articles that directly examined the association between race/ethnicity and insurance disparities and healthcare utilization among patients with TBI. Eleven articles that met the criteria and were published between June 2011 and June 2016 were finally included in the review. RESULTS Lack of insurance was significantly associated with decreased use of inhospital and posthospital healthcare services among patients with TBI. However, mixed results were reported for the associations between insurance types and healthcare utilization. The majority of studies reported that racial/ethnic minorities were less likely to use inhospital and posthospital healthcare services, while some studies did not indicate any significant relation between race/ethnicity and healthcare utilization among patients with TBI. CONCLUSIONS This review provides evidence of a relation between insurance status and healthcare utilization among US adults with TBI. Insurance status may also account for some portion of the relation between race/ethnicity and healthcare utilization.
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The Impact of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Treatment and Outcomes of Blunt Splenic Injury. J Surg Res 2019; 240:60-69. [PMID: 30909066 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2019.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 12/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities have been shown to exist in trauma patients. Management of blunt splenic injuries (BSIs) can include splenectomy, embolization, or nonoperative management. This study assesses the effect of race and insurance status on outcomes in patients after blunt splenic trauma. METHODS The National Trauma Data Bank was used to study patients aged 15-89 y with BSIs from 2013 to 2015. Patients with abbreviated injury scores greater than two in nonabdominal areas, excluding extremities, were eliminated, as were patients with other concomitant abdominal injuries requiring repair. Variables of interest were compared across groups using chi-square tests, and those with significant associations were used in multivariate regression models for each outcome. RESULTS We analyzed 13,537 BSI patients. Uninsured patients had increased odds of mortality, more splenic operations, and were less likely to have nonoperative management (P < 0.001). Uninsured patients were also twice as likely to be discharged home and three times as likely to leave against medical advice (P < 0.001). African Americans and Hispanics had higher mortality (odds ratio [OR] 2.03, CI 1.34-3.08; OR 1.58, CI 1.03-2.44, respectively). African Americans had more splenic operations (OR 1.33, CI 1.08-1.64) and were 60% less likely to receive angioembolization (CI 0.41-0.84). Hispanics had fewer splenic operations (OR 0.79, CI 0.63-0.98). CONCLUSIONS Noteworthy differences exist in the management of splenic trauma patients based on race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, despite controlling for demographics and injury characteristics. Insurance status and race likely affect surgical treatment plans and mortality, particularly for uninsured, black, and Hispanic patients, but further research is needed to identify the root cause of these disparities.
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16
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Lack of Health Insurance Associated With Lower Probability of Head Computed Tomography Among United States Traumatic Brain Injury Patients. Med Care 2018; 56:1035-1041. [DOI: 10.1097/mlr.0000000000000986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Haines KL, Nguyen BP, Vatsaas C, Alger A, Brooks K, Agarwal SK. Socioeconomic Status Affects Outcomes After Severity-Stratified Traumatic Brain Injury. J Surg Res 2018; 235:131-140. [PMID: 30691786 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2018.09.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Socioeconomic status (SES) and race have been shown to increase the incidence of being afflicted by a traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in worse posthospitalization outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine the effect disparities have on in-hospital mortality, discharge to inpatient rehabilitation, hospital length of stay (LOS), and TBI procedures performed stratified by severity of TBI. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with closed head injuries using the National Trauma Data Bank (2012-2015). Multivariate logistic/linear regression models were created to determine the impact of race and insurance status in groups graded by head Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). RESULTS We analyzed 131,461 TBI patients from NTDB. Uninsured patients experienced greater mortality at an AIS of 5 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.052, P = 0.001). Uninsured patients had a decreased likelihood of being discharged to inpatient rehabilitation with an increasing AIS beginning from an AIS of 2 (OR = 0.987, P = 0.008) to an AIS of 5 (OR = 0.879, P < 0.001). Black patients had an increased LOS as their AIS increased from an AIS of 2 (0.153 d, P < 0.001) to 5 (0.984 d, P < 0.001) with the largest discrepancy in LOS occurring at an AIS of 5. CONCLUSIONS Disparities in race and SES are associated with differences in mortality, LOS, and discharge to inpatient rehabilitation. Patients with more severe TBI have the greatest divergence in treatment and outcome when stratified by race and ethnicity as well as SES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista L Haines
- Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
| | - Benjamin P Nguyen
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Cory Vatsaas
- Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Amy Alger
- Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kelli Brooks
- Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Suresh K Agarwal
- Division of Trauma, Critical Care, and Acute Care Surgery, Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
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Sossenheimer PH, Andersen MJ, Clermont MH, Hoppenot CV, Palma AA, Rogers SO. Structural Violence and Trauma Outcomes: An Ethical Framework for Practical Solutions. J Am Coll Surg 2018; 227:537-542. [PMID: 30149067 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2018.08.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philip H Sossenheimer
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Michael J Andersen
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Max H Clermont
- Section for Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Claire V Hoppenot
- MacLean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Alejandro A Palma
- Section of Emergency Medicine, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL
| | - Selwyn O Rogers
- Section for Trauma and Acute Care Surgery, The University of Chicago Medicine, Chicago, IL.
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Berg GM, Searight M, Sorell R, Lee FA, Hervey AM, Harrison P. Payer Source Associated with Disparities in Procedural, but Not Surgical, Care in a Trauma Population. Am Surg 2018. [DOI: 10.1177/000313481808400856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Trauma centers are legally bound by Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act to provide equal treatment to trauma patients, regardless of payer source. However, evidence has suggested that disparities in trauma care exist. This study investigated the relationships between payer source and procedures (total, diagnostic, and surgical) and the number of medical consults in an adult trauma population. This is a 10-year retrospective trauma registry study at a Level I trauma facility. Payer source of adult trauma patients was identified, demographics and variables associated with trauma outcomes were abstracted, and multivariate logistic regression tests were used to determine statistical differences in the number of procedures and medical consults. Of the 12,870 records analyzed, 69.1 per cent of patients were commercially insured, 21.2 per cent were uninsured, and 9.6 per cent had Medicaid. After controlling for patient- and injury-related variables, the commercially insured received more total procedures (4.30) than the uninsured (3.35) or those with Medicaid (3.34), and more diagnostic (2.59) procedures than the uninsured (2.03) or those with Medicaid (2.04). There was not a difference in the number of surgical procedures or medical consults among payer sources. This study noted that disparities (measured by the number of procedures received) compared by payer source existed in the care of trauma patients. However, for medical consults and definitive care (measured by surgical procedures), disparities were not observed. Future research should focus on secondary factors that influence levels of care such as patient-level factors (health literacy) and trauma program policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gina M. Berg
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas
- Department of Trauma Services, Wesley Healthcare, Wichita, Kansas
| | - Maggie Searight
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas
| | - Ryan Sorell
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas
| | - Felecia A. Lee
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas
| | - Ashley M. Hervey
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas
| | - Paul Harrison
- Department of Trauma Services, Wesley Healthcare, Wichita, Kansas
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Equal Access Is Quality: an Update on the State of Disparities Research in Trauma. CURRENT TRAUMA REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s40719-018-0114-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Socioeconomic disparities in the thoracic trauma population. J Surg Res 2017; 224:160-165. [PMID: 29506834 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2017.11.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health-care disparities based on socioeconomic status have been well documented in the trauma literature; however, there is a paucity of data on how these factors affect outcomes in patients experiencing severe thoracic trauma. This study aims to identify the effect of insurance status and race on patient mortality and disposition after thoracic trauma. METHODS The National Trauma Data Bank was queried from 2007 to 2012 for patients with sternal fractures, rib fractures, and flailed chest. Demographics data were examined for the cohort based on insurance status. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used, controlling for patient comorbidities, age, injury severity score, and associated injuries, to determine the impact of race and insurance status on length of stay, mortality, and discharge disposition. RESULTS A total of 152,655 thoracic traumas were included in our analysis. As compared to privately insured patients, uninsured patients with thoracic trauma were 1.9 times more likely to die (odds ratio [OR]: 1.91, confidence interval [CI]: 1.76-2.09) and 4.6 times more likely to leave against medical advice (OR: 4.61, CI: 3.14-6.79). When compared to Caucasians, Hispanics had slightly higher in-hospital mortality (OR: 1.14, CI: 1.02-1.27), but there was no survival difference seen in black patients (OR: 0.95, CI: 0.86-1.05). CONCLUSIONS Insurance status appears to have a more significant effect on thoracic trauma patient outcomes than race, but substantial socioeconomic disparities were seen in this patient population. Further studies are needed to show reproducibility of our findings and to investigate the impact of universal health care and expansion of insurance availability on thoracic trauma outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 3, economic/decision.
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Missios S, Bekelis K. Access disparities to Magnet hospitals for patients undergoing neurosurgical operations. J Clin Neurosci 2017; 44:47-52. [PMID: 28684152 PMCID: PMC5582027 DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Centers of excellence focusing on quality improvement have demonstrated superior outcomes for a variety of surgical interventions. We investigated the presence of access disparities to hospitals recognized by the Magnet Recognition Program of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for patients undergoing neurosurgical operations. METHODS We performed a cohort study of all neurosurgery patients who were registered in the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database from 2009 to 2013. We examined the association of African-American race and lack of insurance with Magnet status hospitalization for neurosurgical procedures. A mixed effects propensity adjusted multivariable regression analysis was used to control for confounding. RESULTS During the study period, 190,535 neurosurgical patients met the inclusion criteria. Using a multivariable logistic regression, we demonstrate that African-Americans had lower admission rates to Magnet institutions (OR 0.62; 95% CI, 0.58-0.67). This persisted in a mixed effects logistic regression model (OR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.70-0.83) to adjust for clustering at the patient county level, and a propensity score adjusted logistic regression model (OR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69-0.82). Additionally, lack of insurance was associated with lower admission rates to Magnet institutions (OR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.68-0.73), in a multivariable logistic regression model. This persisted in a mixed effects logistic regression model (OR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.69-0.74), and a propensity score adjusted logistic regression model (OR 0.72; 95% CI, 0.69-0.75). CONCLUSIONS Using a comprehensive all-payer cohort of neurosurgery patients in New York State we identified an association of African-American race and lack of insurance with lower rates of admission to Magnet hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Symeon Missios
- Center for Neuro and Spine, Akron General Hospital-Cleveland Clinic, Akron, OH, United States
| | - Kimon Bekelis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, United States; The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, NH, Lebanon; Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, United States.
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McQuistion K, Zens T, Jung HS, Beems M, Leverson G, Liepert A, Scarborough J, Agarwal S. Insurance status and race affect treatment and outcome of traumatic brain injury. J Surg Res 2016; 205:261-271. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.06.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Revised: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/26/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Access to post-discharge inpatient care after lower limb trauma. J Surg Res 2016; 203:140-4. [PMID: 27338544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2016.02.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most hospitals in the United States are required to provide emergency care to all patients, regardless of insurance status. However, uninsured patients might be unable to access non-acute services, such as post-discharge inpatient care (PDIC). This could result in prolonged acute hospitalization. We tested the hypothesis that insurance status would be independently associated with both PDIC and length of stay (LOS). METHODS An observational study was undertaken using the California State Inpatient Database (2007-2011), which captures 98% of patients admitted to hospital in California. All patients with a diagnosis of orthopedic lower limb trauma were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes 820-828. Multivariable logistic and generalized linear regression models were used to adjust odds of PDIC and LOS for patient and hospital characteristics. RESULTS There were 278,573 patients with orthopedic lower limb injuries, 160,828 (57.7%) of which received PDIC. Uninsured patients had lower odds of PDIC (adjusted odds ratio 0.20, 95% confidence interval 0.17-0.24) and significantly longer hospital LOS (predicted mean difference 1.06 [95% confidence interval 0.78-1.34] d) than those with private insurance. CONCLUSIONS Lack of health insurance is associated with reduced access to PDIC and prolonged hospital LOS. This potential barrier to hospital discharge could reduce the number of trauma beds available for acutely injured patients.
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