Examining racial disparities in emergency department patient transfers
Structural Racism and Discrimination in Emergency Department Transfers: Unintended Consequences of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)
This study looks at how race and ethnicity might affect whether patients in emergency rooms get transferred to specialized care, especially comparing the experiences of minority patients to White patients, to help improve access to care for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10999462 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how racial and ethnic disparities affect the transfer of patients from emergency departments to specialized care facilities. It focuses on understanding whether these transfers differ based on race, particularly looking at the experiences of minority patients compared to White non-Hispanic patients. The study will analyze factors such as length of stay in the emergency department and the likelihood of being transferred to certain hospitals, aiming to uncover potential structural racism in the healthcare system. By examining these disparities, the research seeks to highlight areas for improvement in emergency care access for all patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include emergency department patients from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, particularly those requiring specialized care.
Not a fit: Patients who are not seeking emergency care or those who do not belong to minority racial or ethnic groups may not benefit directly from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more equitable emergency care practices, ensuring that all patients receive timely and appropriate treatment regardless of their race or ethnicity.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that disparities in healthcare access and treatment based on race exist, suggesting that this investigation could build on established findings.
Where this research is happening
University Park, United States
- Pennsylvania State University, the — University Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsuan, Charleen — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Hsuan, Charleen
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.