Rate of inappropriate ed visits2/9/2024 However, some dedicated homeless clinics are staffed with fewer healthcare workers due to limited funding, with an uncertain schedule based on the time availability of the providers or with healthcare providers of limited experience (eg, medical student, nurse‐run clinics). Studies on such clinics showed better medical compliance, clinical outcomes, and patient satisfaction.īetter outcomes including decreased ED visits and hospitalizations were also reported among homeless clinic sites with better staffing and fully dedicated physicians. Others use mobile medical units, located close to homeless shelters, as an alternative to clinic‐based care. ![]() Some clinics dedicated to people experiencing homelessness utilize volunteer medical professionals, have varying types of patient access schedules, and provide free care. Providing clinics dedicated to homeless populations is another common intervention used to reduce unnecessary ED utilization. Overall, these diverse outcomes make any generalization difficult. Rosenheck et al studied the promotion of healthcare integration using outreach ACCESS program (Access to Community Care and Effective Services and Support) among homeless patients and failed to show better clinical outcomes.Ī study to assist homeless veterans with increasing engagement in their care showed no improvement in the rates of alcohol use, drug use, or hospitalization between patients receiving high and low intensity outreach programs. Hategan et al demonstrated gender differences in which homeless women were more likely to return to the ED even when provided with access to a primary care provider. Studies that reported providing charity insurance coverage to homeless patients did not seem to reduce inappropriate ED utilization, reporting a rate similar to patients covered by Medicaid. Others questioned the efficacy of these interventions given the fact that healthcare outcomes are multi‐factorial. Some studies reported decreased ED visits, decreased hospital admissions, increased primary clinic follow‐up, and increased adherence to medical treatment plans. However, the outcomes of these interventions had high degrees of variation. ![]() The most common interventions noted in the literature include providing food and temporary housing, arranging primary care physician (PCP) follow‐up, and providing charity insurance coverage. Previous studies have investigated different interventions to improve healthcare quality and decrease inappropriate ED utilization including accommodation, healthcare, and finance supports. Homeless patients are considered a unique patient population with a high risk for hospital emergency department utilization, ED returns, hospital admissions, and all‐cause mortalities.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |