SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Bridging_disparities in Covid_hospitalization_reducing_treatment: A Field_hospital_linked_infusion_centers _Experience Providing Free_transportation for Monoclonal_antibody

Bridging_disparities in Covid_hospitalization_reducing_treatment: A Field_hospital_linked_infusion_centers _Experience Providing Free_transportation for Monoclonal_antibody_treatment

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This single-center retrospective study examined use of free, state-funded transportation for patients receiving monoclonal antibody (Mab) infusions at the Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital (BCCFH) between January 6 and May 31, 2021. All patients were offered optional two-way transportation via a contracted, COVID-safety-compliant car service during scheduling. Researchers analyzed demographics, referral and treatment dates, transportation use, and cost, and linked use to neighborhood poverty levels using logistic regression.<br /><br />A total of 1,708 patients were treated. Although Mab recipients were mostly White (61.2%) and from wealthier neighborhoods (65.9%), the free transportation service was used disproportionately by vulnerable groups, including women, racial minorities, and residents of high-poverty zip codes. African American patients from high-poverty zip codes had 6.7 times the odds of using BCCFH transportation compared with White patients from low-poverty zip codes. Patients who used transportation had a slightly longer referral-to-appointment interval than those who did not.<br /><br />The total cost of providing transportation was about $74,210, roughly 2% of the $3.4 million the federal government paid for the Mab medication in the study population.<br /><br />The authors conclude that free transportation may help reduce disparities in access to monoclonal antibody treatment and may lessen delays in care at relatively low additional cost. They also highlight transportation as an important social determinant of health, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when public and affordable transportation became less accessible.

Asset Subtitle

Zishan Siddiqui

Meta Tag

Author List Krisite Sun, Maisha Foyez, Mary Jane Vaeth, Melinda Kantsiper, Yahya Shaikh, Zishan Siddiqui

Category Research

Concept Free Transportation

Concept Monoclonal Antibody Infusion

Concept Patient Transportation Use

Concept Access to Care

Concept Referral-to-Appointment Interval

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital /Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

Presenting Author Zishan Siddiqui

Track Other

Keywords

monoclonal antibody therapy

free transportation

COVID-19 pandemic

health disparities

retrospective study

Baltimore Convention Center Field Hospital

social determinants of health

racial minorities

poverty zip codes

logistic regression

Free Transportation

Monoclonal Antibody Infusion

Patient Transportation Use

Access to Care

Referral-to-Appointment Interval