Authors
Ingraham, Angela M.Chaffee, Scott M.
Ayturk, M. Didem
Heh, Victor K.
Kiefe, Catarina I.
Santry, Heena
UMass Chan Affiliations
Department of Population and Quantitative Health SciencesDocument Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2021-02-18Keywords
Emergency MedicineEpidemiology
Health Services Administration
Health Services Research
Surgery
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Introduction: Despite three million adults in the United States (US) being admitted annually for emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, we lack an understanding of the barriers to round-the-clock EGS care. Our objective was to measure gaps in round-the-clock EGS care. Methods: From August 2015 to December 2015, we surveyed all US-based, adult acute care general hospitals that have an emergency room and > /=1 operating room and provide EGS care, utilizing paper and electronic methods. Surgeons or chief medical officers were queried regarding EGS practices. Results: Of 2,811 hospitals, 1,634 (58.1%) responded; 279 (17.1%) were unable to always provide round-the-clock EGS care. Rural location, smaller bed size, and non-teaching status were associated with lack of round-the-clock care. Inconsistent surgeon coverage was the primary reason for lacking round-the-clock EGS care (n=162; 58.1%). However, lack of a tiered system for booking emergency cases, no anesthesia availability overnight, and no stipend for EGS call were also associated with the inability to provide round-the-clock EGS care. Discussion: We found significant gaps in access to EGS care, often attributable to workforce deficiencies.Source
Ingraham AM, Chaffee SM, Ayturk MD, Heh VK, Kiefe CI, Santry HP. Gaps in Emergency General Surgery Coverage in the United States. Ann Surg Open. 2021 Mar;2(1):e043. doi: 10.1097/as9.0000000000000043. Epub 2021 Feb 18. PMID: 34485983; PMCID: PMC8409136. Link to article on publisher's site
DOI
10.1097/as9.0000000000000043Permanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/46986PubMed ID
34485983Related Resources
ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1097/as9.0000000000000043