Black COVID-19 patients less likely to receive medical follow-ups, study finds

A University of Michigan study published Oct.11 found Black COVID-19 patients are less likely to receive medical follow-ups after hospitalizations and more likely to experience longer wait times to return to work. 

Advertisement

Researchers gathered data on 2,217 adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19 60 days following hospitalization from 38 hospitals around the state between March 16, 2020, and July 1, 2020. 

Key takeaways: 

  • Fifty percent of patients of color were readmitted within 60 days after being released. 
  • A total of 108 patients reported no follow-up from with a primary care physician following discharge, 64.8 percent of those reporting were Black or Hispanic.
  • Black patients experienced an average 35.5 day delay to return to work while Hispanic patients experienced an average of 10.5 day delays. 
  • Patients of color were more than 65 percent more likely to experience moderate to severe financial impact.
  • Highest number of deaths following discharge were among white patients (21.5 percent).
  • Less than a quarter of patients discharged back to assisted living, skilled nursing facilities, or subacute rehabilitation facilities remained at those locations in the 60 days following discharge.
Advertisement

Next Up in Patient Safety & Outcomes

Advertisement

Comments are closed.