Regional Disparities in Neurocritical Care Outcomes

Authors

Kali Graham, Department of Neurology, Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia PAFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

2-2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND

• Determinants of Neurocritical Care Outcomes: Social as opposed to biological disparities can frequently dictate health outcomes for neurocritically ill patients. Survival rates are determined both by a patient’s access to a NCU (Neurocritical Care Unit) as well as the level of inpatient care he or she receive once admitted to a NCU.
• Regional Inequality in Access to Care¹:
• Only 12.8% of Americans have access to a NCU within 45 min by ground transportation and 36.8% have access to a NCU within 45 minutes by air transportation.
• Racial Disparities in NCU Admissions and Outcomes²:
• Non white patients are more likely to become neurocritically ill and suffer adverse outcomes. African American patients have a higher frequency of all stroke subtypes and a higher stroke mortality rate than non-Hispanic white patients.
• Socioeconomic Disparities in NCU Admissions³:
• Uninsured and underinsured critically ill patients in the United States are disproportionately affected by the high cost of intensive care. Uninsured patients receive fewer critical care services regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, or reason for hospital admission.

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