Impact of Emergency Center Patient Discharge Initiative (H-43817)

Background: Unfavorable social conditions have been shown to result in detrimental outcomes for United States emergency department (ED) patients. This indicates the opportunity for EDs to provide social interventions aimed at improving health outcomes for their patients. Founded in 2011, The Baylor College of Medicine – Patient Discharge Initiative (BCM-PDI) is a joint Rice University and BCM volunteer organization. The organization aims to help Houston’s underserved patient population at Ben Taub Hospital.

Purpose: This study will explore the impact of an ongoing initiative of immediate educational intervention for improving patient social conditions and post-ED visit outcomes. The intervention occurs while patients during and immediately after ED treatment and will include a discussion of necessary prescriptions, physician follow-up appointments, and information on social and medical resources. In addition, patients are called after their ED visit to assess utilization of resources. We will determine whether access to supplemental social and medical resources can improve patient post-visit quality of life.

Project status: Enrolling patients from the Emergency Department

Coordinator Role: screen, consent, enroll and collect data.

Open to students: Yes

PI: Dr. Michael Jaung