Social workers cut nonemergent visits 45%.
Having a social worker in your ED to identify patients who are seeking primary care can significantly limit return nonemergent visits. ED staff who have interfaced with a social worker find it doesn't interfere with their normal work flow. Invite the social workers to staff meetings before they begin working in your department to familiarize staff with what the social workers will do. Make sure the social workers are well versed in EMTALA so they do not turn patients away from the ED. If the social worker does not approach the patient until treatment is completed, smooth flow in the department is ensured.
D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D009515:New Jersey; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D024382:Professional Role; D012947:Social Work