Referrals are one of the biggest things we do. We are constantly making referrals. We make a lot of referrals because most people come to the hospital when they are very sick, have an addiction, or a mental illness. Once they are treated and no longer need medical attention, they are referred out of the hospital and into the community. For example, most elderly patients who are 65 and older, often get referred to sub-acute rehab, skilled nursing facilities, home care, Adult Protective Services, hospice care, or palliative care. Patients who are admitted for any substance abuse or psychological issues are referred to an out-patient psychiatric care. Southside hospital used to have an in- patient psychiatric unit. However, they no longer have a psychiatric unit at the hospital.
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The emergency room now has three observation rooms. These rooms are for patients who have a combination of medical and psychiatric concerns. Once a patient is medically cleared, they will get a referral for outpatient psychiatric treatment from psychiatrists who provide individual therapy and medication management. For patients on the maternity or pediatric unit, we often make referrals to CPS, early intervention programs, WIC, domestic violence support/shelter, or adoption services. Sometimes we will have a difficult case that requires the help of the social work director. Some examples are, individuals who are undocumented and have no insurance, or need a guardianship. This is for a patient who has no family and cannot care for themselves. Social workers may have to go to court to advocate for that patient, so the patient can receive the best discharge plan possible (Duffy & Healy,
The emergency room now has three observation rooms. These rooms are for patients who have a combination of medical and psychiatric concerns. Once a patient is medically cleared, they will get a referral for outpatient psychiatric treatment from psychiatrists who provide individual therapy and medication management. For patients on the maternity or pediatric unit, we often make referrals to CPS, early intervention programs, WIC, domestic violence support/shelter, or adoption services. Sometimes we will have a difficult case that requires the help of the social work director. Some examples are, individuals who are undocumented and have no insurance, or need a guardianship. This is for a patient who has no family and cannot care for themselves. Social workers may have to go to court to advocate for that patient, so the patient can receive the best discharge plan possible (Duffy & Healy,