Clinician contributions to disparities in severity of illness trajectories among mechanically ventilated patients

The study examined racial disparities in illness trajectories among mechanically ventilated patients across five hospitals between 2018 and 2022. The research included 6,555 patients, 7,247 clinical encounters, 405 nurses, and 70 physicians, with Black patients accounting for 40 percent of encounters. Results showed that Black patients experienced significantly less improvement in their health status during intensive care unit admission compared to White patients. Among nurses, 47 percent had a positive impact on mitigating disparities, while among physicians, 41 percent did. The majority of physicians and nurses were associated with disparities-exacerbating trajectories, but many other clinicians were associated with disparities-mitigating trajectories. The study suggests the need to understand practices associated with disparities and develop interventions to reduce them.