ED Directors Report Inadequate Surgical Coverage

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.

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