Are uninsured traumas at a greater risk?
While a new study indicating that uninsured trauma patients are at greater risk of mortality did not point a finger at EDs, experts say there are proactive steps ED managers can take that will help reduced the risk for these patients: Keep your eyes and ears open for any evidence of bias--where people express concerns about whether patients can pay for treatments. If a patient is on one or more medications, ask where they get the meds filled. With the patient's permission, call the pharmacy and get a list of all the meds he or she is taking. If language assistance is needed, ensure it's given.
D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D011287:Prejudice; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000401:mortality