Racial disparities in pain management of children with appendicitis in emergency departments.
Racial and ethnic disparities result in biases that can affect patient outcomes and safety. Using data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medicare Care Survey from 2003 to 2010, researchers identified racial differences in pain management among pediatric patients with appendicitis. Compared to white patients, Black patients were less likely to receive pain medication for moderate pain and less likely to receive opioids for severe pain.