ABSTRACT

Trauma patients face unique challenges that require coordination by social workers knowledgeable in the intricacies of trauma patient psychosocial support which is often achieved by obtaining ancillary consultations. The impact of employing a designated trauma social worker (DTSW) in the utilization of these consults has not been described. A retrospective review was conducted of trauma patients admitted to an academic, urban Level 1 trauma center. The pre-intervention cohort (n = 272) corresponded to patients admitted before the presence of a DTSW (01/2013 to 06/2013), while the post-intervention cohort (n = 282) corresponded to patients admitted afterward (09/2015 to 01/2016). Data collection included demographics, injury profile, and types of interdisciplinary or therapy consultations. Post-intervention patients were found to be older and admitted with more injuries. Supportive care, physical therapy and occupational therapy consultations were more likely to be obtained in the post-intervention cohort. Hospital length of stay remained unchanged. This study suggests that the implementation of a DTSW significantly facilitates the utilization of interdisciplinary consultations. Length of stay remains unchanged, suggesting that a DTSW helps to coordinate care in a timely manner without increasing the hospital stay. DTSW implementation may be considered in trauma centers where one does not currently exist.

摘要

创伤患者面临着独特的挑战，需要熟悉创伤患者心理社会支持的复杂性的社会工作者进行协调，这通常通过获得辅助咨询来实现。尚未描述雇用指定的创伤社会工作者 (DTSW) 在使用这些咨询方面的影响。对进入学术型城市一级创伤中心的创伤患者进行了回顾性审查。干预前队列 (n = 272) 对应于 DTSW 出现之前入院的患者 (01/2013 至 06/2013)，而干预后队列 (n = 282) 对应于之后入院的患者 (09/2015至 01/2016）。数据收集包括人口统计、伤害概况以及跨学科或治疗咨询的类型。发现干预后的患者年龄更大，并且受伤更多。在干预后队列中更有可能获得支持性护理、物理治疗和职业治疗咨询。住院时间保持不变。这项研究表明，DTSW 的实施显着促进了跨学科咨询的利用。住院时间保持不变，这表明 DTSW 有助于在不增加住院时间的情况下及时协调护理。可以考虑在目前不存在的创伤中心实施 DTSW。这项研究表明，DTSW 的实施显着促进了跨学科咨询的利用。住院时间保持不变，这表明 DTSW 有助于在不增加住院时间的情况下及时协调护理。可以考虑在目前不存在的创伤中心实施 DTSW。这项研究表明，DTSW 的实施显着促进了跨学科咨询的利用。住院时间保持不变，这表明 DTSW 有助于在不增加住院时间的情况下及时协调护理。可以考虑在目前不存在的创伤中心实施 DTSW。