ER "capture" of the skid-row alcoholic.
In response to the spiraling anger and frustration voiced by the emergency room (ER) medical staff and the observed negative interactions between the alcohol-dependent patient and the ER staff, the author completed a 6-month retrospective review of all patients evaluated by the ER service with a complaint of alcohol abuse, chronic alcoholism, or requesting detoxification. As a result of that study, an ER-based comprehensive approach to the management of this population was proposed. Utilizing an existing Connecticut state statute, a specific approach to manage the skid-row alcoholic arriving repeatedly in the ER was developed. I report on this ER-based model and an approach to "capturing" the skid-row alcoholic.
Baker
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D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000628:therapy*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003134:Commitment of Persons with Psychiatric Disorders; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation