A doubling of the number of gunshot cases in Baltimore has led city hospitals to see more than $80 million spent on treating gunshot victims over the past five years, The Baltimore Sun reports.
The uptick in cost stems from an increasing amount of bullet wounds and the severity of wounds entering Baltimore emergency departments. More than 60 percent of homicide victims are shot in the head, up from less than 15 percent two decades ago.
The Baltimore Sun reports Baltimore hospitals take in three-fourths of Maryland's gun assault cases, and costs have increased to $19 million a year. In 80 percent of gun wound cases, victims are covered by Medicaid, and 20 percent of victims do not have insurance.
To combat the increasing number of gunshot victims, Baltimore hospitals are hiring more full-time physicians for trauma care and emergency surgery. In addition, on call services like blood banks, CT scan technicians and operating room staff are being prepped before a patient arrives.
More articles about healthcare finance:
Moody's assigns 'MIG 1' rating to United Hospital District's BANs
12 latest hospital credit rating downgrades
Moody's assigns 'A2' rating to United Hospital District's bonds