Calls for upheaval in the health system are being amplified by a new study that reveals Māori are far more likely to be admitted to Intensive care after trauma or with sepsis, than non-Māori; and once admitted Māori have an increased likelihood of dying.
Analysing data of more than 50,000 patients admitted to hospital over 10 years the research from the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) reveals Māori patients were more likely than European patients to die within 180 days of ICU admission and that Māori are 13 years younger on average when admitted to ICU than European patients.
“Māori are much more likely than European patients to be admitted to the ICU with life-threatening infections, after major trauma, and following a cardiac arrest," says Dr James Moore, a co-author and MRINZ clinical research fellow and intensive care specialist.
Professor Paul Young, also an intensive care specialist and MRINZ deputy director says there's more to the stats than meets the eye, when removing the higher likelihood of Māori suffering chronic underlying conditions such as kidney disease or diabetes, Māori have the same mortality rate as Pākehā in ICU, meaning it appears lower standards of care for Māori before ICU admission is where the problem arises.
To read more of Will Trafford's article, please click here.
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