The Homeless: A Vulnerable Population In 2014, the Institute Review Board at Thomas Jefferson University approved a study to analyze the highest concern of frequent emergency department costs for policy makers. The study takes place at an urban academic medical center (location not revealed) for the entire year of 2006, at a medical trauma 1 center and has an annual census of 60,000 plus for ED visits a year (Ku 2014). “The Urban Homeless: Super-Users of the Emergency Department” study addresses the concerns of these policy makers by analyzing the highest cost of the emergency department (ED). Costly ED visits largely contribute to the rising health care expenses. Groups of individuals known as frequent users, the homeless, have been
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However, the study does state that further research into how to address homelessness is vitally important to assist providers to be better equipped to serve this vulnerable population. The one resource ED can utilize is the use of social workers, or on site social services. Many ED have a social worker there for patients. According to the study, a social worker only consulted in 4.9% of visits by the homeless population. This low percentage of consults correlates with the ED staff’s outlook on the frequent user. Might ED staff feel that nothing can be done to change patterns for these patients? Furthermore, engaging into social services allows for appropriate referrals to local shelters and other community based services available. In conclusion, if there were more social workers employed throughout the ED department, more patients could walk out more equip to handle their current situation regarding homelessness and would have more knowledge of how to manager their care with resources outside of the …show more content…
I will show support to the homeless through educating about substance abuse, teaching about nutritional needs, and teaching awareness of mental illnesses. When helping families who do not feel like they have a safe place to turn to, I will involve the social worker and maintain patient confidentiality. Educating the homeless about weather related illness such as hypothermia and other weather related illness would help in prevention of those illnesses (ATI
However, the study does state that further research into how to address homelessness is vitally important to assist providers to be better equipped to serve this vulnerable population. The one resource ED can utilize is the use of social workers, or on site social services. Many ED have a social worker there for patients. According to the study, a social worker only consulted in 4.9% of visits by the homeless population. This low percentage of consults correlates with the ED staff’s outlook on the frequent user. Might ED staff feel that nothing can be done to change patterns for these patients? Furthermore, engaging into social services allows for appropriate referrals to local shelters and other community based services available. In conclusion, if there were more social workers employed throughout the ED department, more patients could walk out more equip to handle their current situation regarding homelessness and would have more knowledge of how to manager their care with resources outside of the …show more content…
I will show support to the homeless through educating about substance abuse, teaching about nutritional needs, and teaching awareness of mental illnesses. When helping families who do not feel like they have a safe place to turn to, I will involve the social worker and maintain patient confidentiality. Educating the homeless about weather related illness such as hypothermia and other weather related illness would help in prevention of those illnesses (ATI