A study by researchers at UC San Diego found many transferred patients are released from the second hospital in less than 24 hours, indicating the transfer was not needed.
The phenomenon, known as secondary over-triage, costs $5,917 on average, and happens most often with pediatric patients, presumably due to unjustified fears of a malpractice lawsuit. Researchers found 20 percent of transferred pediatric patients were discharged within 24 hours at the second facility.
Read UC San Diego Health System release on patient transfers.
Read more coverage on ED patients:
– 4 Ways Emergency Departments Will Change Over The Next Five Years
– ED Visits Up 23% Over 10 Years
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