Comparison of Referral Pathways in Otolaryngology at a Public Versus Private Academic Center.

Objective: Delayed medical care may be costly and dangerous. Examining referral pathways may provide insight into ways to reduce delays in care. We sought to compare time between initial referral and first clinic visit and referral and surgical intervention for index otolaryngologic procedures between a public safety net hospital (PSNH) and tertiary-care academic center (TAC). Methods: Retrospective cohort study of eligible adult patients undergoing one of several general otolaryngologic procedures at a PSNH (n = 216) and a TAC (n = 161) over a 2-year time period. Results: PSNH patients were younger, less likely to have comorbidities and more likely to be female, Hispanic or Asian, and to lack insurance. Time between referral and first clinic visit was shorter at the PSNH than the TAC (Mean 35.8 +/- 47.7 vs 48.3 +/- 60.3 days; P = .03). Time between referral and surgical intervention did not differ between groups (129 +/- 90 for PSNH vs 141 +/- 130 days for TAC, P = .30). On multivariate analysis, the TAC had more patient-related delays in care than the PSNH (OR: 3.75, P < .001). Time from referral to surgery at a PSNH was associated with age, source of referral, type of surgery, diagnostic workup and comorbidities, and at a TAC was associated with gender and type of surgery and comorbidities. Conclusions: Sociodemographic differences between PSNH and TAC patients, as well as differences in referral pathways between the types of institutions, influence progression of surgical care in otolaryngology. These differences may be targets for interventions to streamline care.