The Spine Journal published a study examining the non-medical factors for spine trauma patient transfer at Level III and Level IV trauma centers.
There were 14,133 patients examined in the National Trauma Data Bank who were treated between 2009 and 2011. The researchers found:
1. There were 4,142 — or 29.3 percent — of the patient who transferred to a higher level of care institution.
2. There were 9,728 — about 79.7 percent — of the patients admitted to Level III or IV trauma centers.
3. There was an association between uninsured patients and the increased possibility of transfer, according to a multivariable logistic regression analysis.
4. African-American race wasn't associated with the decision to transfer, according to the research.
5. African-Americans with GCS>8 or ISS<15 were associated with a higher transfer likelihood.
"In summary, lack of insurance was associated with increased possibility of transfer to higher level of care institutions, after evaluation in a level III or IV trauma center ED for spine trauma," concluded the study authors. "The same was true for African-Americans with milder injuries."