Abstract
On a single day in January of this year, Arkansas recorded 2,459 homeless people in the state, a 3.9% increase from 2020. There were 343 counted in the Fayetteville/Northwest Arkansas area.
Homeless patients compared with risk-standardized nonhomeless individuals had lower in-hospital mortality rates and longer mean length of stay (6.5 vs. 5.9 d).
At Washington Regional Medical Center, the largest hospital in the Fayetteville/Northwest Arkansas area, we estimate at our 425 bed hospital that 3 to 4 are bedded daily with wide variation.
That would equate to 657 patient/days extra per year at our facility alone.
Through a grant with Blue and You and joint effort with Washington regional and 'New Beginnings “ we have created "A Place to Heal". This is a medical respite facility for those experiencing homelessness to receive care they would other wise not get outside of an Inpatient setting. This includes IV antibiotics, wound care, oxygen, and therapies that their lack of a stable housing situation would prevent.
"A Place to Heal" has served 5 clients in 6 stays since opening on April 15th, 2024. The stay average length of stay has been 14 days. The client served total (5 people in 2 months) is exactly on track for our annual goal of serving 30 people in 12 months.
We have positively impacted the health, mental health, and social determinants of health for clients we served. Exit statistics indicate that 100% of clients completed their health-focused Individualized Service Plans before discharge. Of the clients who have exited the program, 40% have exited housing and 60% returned to their previous living situation of literal homelessness with their baseline health status. 100% of clients reported improvements in their quantity and quality of quality sleep, quantity and quality of quality of food, stress level, and sense of safety during their stay. 63% reported an improvement in their physical and mental health.
No medical respite clients were readmitted to the hospital for their original admission reason.
We have purchased 4 additional cabins and anticipate expanding our number of clients served a program shows success.
We have collaborated with Washington Regional Hospitalists to provide medical care and residents from our Internal Medicine program. We would love for this project to serve as a blueprint for others to serve their community and those experiencing homelessness.
Homeless patients compared with risk-standardized nonhomeless individuals had lower in-hospital mortality rates and longer mean length of stay (6.5 vs. 5.9 d).
At Washington Regional Medical Center, the largest hospital in the Fayetteville/Northwest Arkansas area, we estimate at our 425 bed hospital that 3 to 4 are bedded daily with wide variation.
That would equate to 657 patient/days extra per year at our facility alone.
Through a grant with Blue and You and joint effort with Washington regional and 'New Beginnings “ we have created "A Place to Heal". This is a medical respite facility for those experiencing homelessness to receive care they would other wise not get outside of an Inpatient setting. This includes IV antibiotics, wound care, oxygen, and therapies that their lack of a stable housing situation would prevent.
"A Place to Heal" has served 5 clients in 6 stays since opening on April 15th, 2024. The stay average length of stay has been 14 days. The client served total (5 people in 2 months) is exactly on track for our annual goal of serving 30 people in 12 months.
We have positively impacted the health, mental health, and social determinants of health for clients we served. Exit statistics indicate that 100% of clients completed their health-focused Individualized Service Plans before discharge. Of the clients who have exited the program, 40% have exited housing and 60% returned to their previous living situation of literal homelessness with their baseline health status. 100% of clients reported improvements in their quantity and quality of quality sleep, quantity and quality of quality of food, stress level, and sense of safety during their stay. 63% reported an improvement in their physical and mental health.
No medical respite clients were readmitted to the hospital for their original admission reason.
We have purchased 4 additional cabins and anticipate expanding our number of clients served a program shows success.
We have collaborated with Washington Regional Hospitalists to provide medical care and residents from our Internal Medicine program. We would love for this project to serve as a blueprint for others to serve their community and those experiencing homelessness.
Original language | American English |
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Pages | 6 |
State | Published - 13 Sep 2024 |
Event | 2024 Symposium on Tribal and Rural Innovations in Disparities and Equity for Health - Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, United States Duration: 13 Sep 2024 → 13 Sep 2024 |
Conference
Conference | 2024 Symposium on Tribal and Rural Innovations in Disparities and Equity for Health |
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Abbreviated title | STRIDE 2024 |
Country/Territory | United States |
City | Tahlequah |
Period | 13/09/24 → 13/09/24 |