University of Memphis

Public Relations Writing Class

Memphis, TN 38152
Contact: Brittany Boone
(901) 626-7876 Cell/ bboone2@memphis.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Arlington, TN (September 24, 2016) — “Shortages of specialists willing to take call in the emergency
department are a nationwide problem,” according to Dr. H. Arthur Hart, the executive director of The
National Association of Trauma Specialists(NATS), “and represent a major change in the way we provide
emergency care.” NATS conducted a survey on Tennessee hospitals measuring 8 different specialties
that revealed an overwhelming lack of emergency room specialists across the state, the worst in
neurosurgery and orthopedics.
“Many hospitals are paying substantial amounts to maintain their roster of on-call specialists,
and some hospitals have been forced to drop 24-7 coverage for certain specialties. These changes affect
everyone coming to the emergency department — regardless of whether you’re insured, or covered by
Medicaid, Medicare or a private health plan, ” Hart said.
65 percent of hospitals reported difficulties in keeping specialists one call for three or more
specialties. 43 percent provide extra subsidy to at least one specialty in attempts to attract move
coverage. Still, 47 percent of hospitals report the inability to keep around the clock specialist coverage
despite paying extra subsidy and stipends.
“This study adds to a mounting body of evidence that the on-call crisis is a serious threat to the
integrity of our emergency care system and is the weak link in the chain-of-survival in many
communities throughout our state,” said Dr. Terry Feelgood, chief executive officer at Covenant Health
Systems in Knoxville.
Physicians are reluctant to work in emergency medicine for a number of factors. Some of which
include: malpractice lawsuits, growth in ambulatory surgery centers, and inadequate reimbursement
specifically for uninsured patients. The shortage of specialist coverage has contributed to thirteen
percent of Tennessee hospitals downgrading their trauma designations since 2000.
“Emergency physicians provide the highest quality emergency care possible, but we can’t do
everything. If the emergency department cannot find a specialist when it needs one, patient care is
inevitably compromised,” said Dr. Derek Sheppard, president of the Tennessee Physicians Association.
NATS was found in Chicago in 1956 by doctors who specialized in emergency medicine. Today
there are over 12,000 members, both current practicing physicians and retired, who specialize in
emergency medicine and trauma treatments.

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