Guest blog post by Heidi Ross, Senior Social Worker in the emergency department at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Social workers are hospital employees who work with the entire Emergency Department team to provide patients the best care possible. We work with older adults, adults, children and adolescent patients. Here is an overview of social work in the Emergency Department:
Interviews and Assessments
The first thing we do in the Emergency Department is interview the patient and/or the family to gather important background information to determine the patient’s social and medical needs and help plan for coordination of care if the patient is admitted. We may immediately offer the patient supportive counseling, intervention and some education on what is going on and what will be happening in the Emergency Department.
In-Hospital Services
If a patient is going to be admitted, we can help prepare him or her for admission and provide continuity of care by linking the patient to another social worker on the inpatient unit who will continue to provide supportive interventions and assessment. We often refer patients to other services within the hospital, as needed, such as financial counseling and help with medical insurance matters.
Outpatient Services
When patients are discharged from the Emergency Department, we refer them to appropriate and needed services outside the hospital such as legal advocacy agencies, benefit and entitlement programs, mental health and substance abuse programs, and many more. We also often refer patients to one of Beth Israel’s family practices for follow up.
Here to Help
Whatever the situation, the social workers in the Emergency Department can handle a wide range of concerns. Whether our patients are in crisis and need acute intervention, or need assistance planning long-term needs for themselves or their loved ones, we are here to help. We work collaboratively with all the other healthcare professionals in the Emergency Department. If you have any questions, just ask!
Heidi Ross is a Senior Social Worker in the emergency department at Beth Israel Medical Center.
Social work is an important component of our hospitals. Acute care needs unfold with patient crisis, assessment and disposition. Collaboration with multiple hospital disciplines in service of the patients can be a critical part of treatment ; and enhances a positive hospital image and related experience for patients and families.
I had the pleasure of doing such work at St. Vincent’s Hospital as part of the Addiction Services team. I found the support and professionalism of Dr. Greg Johnston, currently at Beth Israel E.D. to be invaluable treating our patient population.