COVID treatment and in-hospital length of stay inequalities between race in the US over time

ABSTRACT

IntroductionDemonstrated health inequalities persist in the United States. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) has been no exception, with access to treatment and hospitalization differing across race or ethnic group. Here we aim to assess differences in treatment with remdesivir and hospital length of stay across four waves of the pandemic. MethodsUsing a subset of the Truveta data we examine odds ratios (OR) of in-hospital remdesivir treatment and risk ratios (RR) of in-hospital length of stay between Black or African American (Black) to white patients. We adjusted for confounding factors such as age, sex, and comorbidity status. ResultsThere were statically significant lower rates of remdesivir treatment and longer in-hospital lengths of stay comparing Black patients to white patients early in the pandemic (OR for treatment 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.80, 0.96; RR for length of stay 1.17, CI 1.06, 1.21). Rates became close to parity between groups as the pandemic progressed. ConclusionsWhile inpatient remdesivir treatment rates increased and length of stay decreased over the beginning course of the pandemic, there are still inequalities in patient care.