A survey of emergency department directors showed high levels of inadequate coverage for several surgical specialties, according to a release by the American College of Emergency Physicians.
The survey reported the following findings:
• More than three-quarters reported inadequate coverage for plastic surgery, hand surgery and neurosurgery. Specifically, more than 70 percent cited difficulties with neurosurgical coverage and 80 percent with hand surgery coverage.
• Nearly one-quarter reported loss or downgrade of the hospital's trauma center designation.
• Sixty percent could not provide around-the-clock coverage in at least one medical specialty in the last four years.
• Almost one-quarter reported an increase in patients leaving the ED before they could be seen by the needed specialist.
• Teaching hospitals fared better, with 68 percent reporting inadequate coverage, compared with 78 percent for non-teaching hospitals.
Read the ACEP release on inadequate coverage in emergency departments.
Read more coverage of on-call arrangements in EDs.
- Los Angeles County Slashes On-Call Payments for Treating Uninsured
- 6 Best Practices for Improving Hospital Call Efficiency
The survey reported the following findings:
• More than three-quarters reported inadequate coverage for plastic surgery, hand surgery and neurosurgery. Specifically, more than 70 percent cited difficulties with neurosurgical coverage and 80 percent with hand surgery coverage.
• Nearly one-quarter reported loss or downgrade of the hospital's trauma center designation.
• Sixty percent could not provide around-the-clock coverage in at least one medical specialty in the last four years.
• Almost one-quarter reported an increase in patients leaving the ED before they could be seen by the needed specialist.
• Teaching hospitals fared better, with 68 percent reporting inadequate coverage, compared with 78 percent for non-teaching hospitals.
Read the ACEP release on inadequate coverage in emergency departments.
Read more coverage of on-call arrangements in EDs.
- Los Angeles County Slashes On-Call Payments for Treating Uninsured
- 6 Best Practices for Improving Hospital Call Efficiency