The southeastern region of North Carolina is grappling with a critical shortage of physicians. This issue results in extended wait times for patients seeking medical care.
Case Highlight
Last February, an incident underscored the severity of the situation. A child with no previous health issues experienced a severe allergic reaction at a rural middle school in North Carolina. Emergency medical services responded swiftly. At the request of the child’s parent, EMS began transport to a large medical center in Durham, a journey that takes over 30 minutes.
During the trip, the child’s vital signs deteriorated significantly. Faced with a critical decision, the paramedics opted to reroute to the nearest medical facility located only a few minutes away in Roxboro.
Emergency Response
At the emergency department in Roxboro, the child received multiple essential medications and supportive care to stabilize her condition and ultimately save her life.
This incident highlights the urgent need for addressing the physician shortage in the region to reduce the risk to patients and ensure timely access to care.
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