What happened: A recent study by the University of Michigan and Brown University revealed a significant racial disparity in stroke care for Black patients. The study, involving 600,000 individuals, found that Black patients receive 20% fewer stroke notifications compared to others, leading to delays in emergency care. Black patients experienced a 28-minute delay in being brought in for stroke symptoms, despite presenting similar clinical signs as other groups.
| More: Study: Black stroke patients face 28-minute delay in emergency care
Highlights
Watch as Ed Bauter, MBA, MHL, NRP, FP-C, CCP-C; and Daniel Schwester, MICP, highlight the significance of this development, including:
- Study identifies a racial disparity in stroke alerts. Black patients received 20% fewer notifications when presenting with stroke symptoms, leading to delayed care.
- Delays of 28 minutes impact patient outcomes. The research showed that Black patients experienced an average delay of 28 minutes in receiving stroke care, affecting their recovery and survival chances.
- Bias in stroke assessments raises concerns. Despite similar symptoms, Black patients were underassessed, underscoring the need to address implicit bias in emergency medical services.
The path forward
The findings emphasize the urgent need to address racial disparities in emergency medical response, particularly in stroke care. Reducing bias in assessments and ensuring timely hospital notifications for all patients, regardless of race, is critical for improving outcomes. EMS professionals must be vigilant and strive to eliminate implicit biases that could affect patient care.
| More: On-demand webinar: Time is brain: Stroke assessment and treatment guidelinesv
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