The Association of Insurance Status and Race With Transfers of Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury Initially Evaluated at Level III and IV Trauma Centers.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate the association of lack of insurance and African American race with the probability of transfer to level I/II trauma centers after evaluation in the emergency department of level III/IV trauma centers for traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Background

The influence of nonmedical factors on the disposition of TBI patients initially seen in less specialized institutions is debated.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving TBI patients who were registered in the National Trauma Data Bank between 2009 and 2011. Regression methods were used to investigate the association of insurance status and race with the disposition of TBI patients evaluated in less specialized trauma centers.

Results

During the study period, there were 26,0

SUBMITTER: Bekelis K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4788375 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature