The problem of determining the number of homeless people concerns many countries. Estimates of the homeless population show wide variation. This text aims to review and attempt to systematize the ways of defining and measuring homelessness in Poland.Poland serves as a good example of the analysis of this phenomenon, because both the activities carried out in the field of diagnosis of homelessness and research aimed at developing a reliable methodology have been undertaken since the 1990s. The article summarizes such approaches as collecting data using the Central Statistical Application,
Aim: To assess the incidence of diagnoses related to alcohol use in the population of homeless people admitted to hospital emergency departments (EDs). Material and method: Data were analysed from three hospitals concerning stays of homeless people in three EDs in Bydgoszcz, Poland, in 2013–2015; 3133 stays were identified. The data were compiled using Microsoft Excel and Statistica 10 statistical software. Results: At the time of admission to EDs, 31% of homeless people were considered to be under the influence of alcohol. Diagnoses related to alcohol use accounted for 25% of all diagnoses. The average blood alcohol concentration in the patients was 2.97 per mille. The average blood alcohol concentration in the group of men was significantly higher than that in the group of women ( p = 0.015). The average length of stay in the ED of patients under the influence of alcohol was significantly longer ( p < 0.0001) than among sober patients. Conclusions: Homeless people under the influence of alcohol account for a third of the population of homeless patients admitted to hospital emergency departments, while alcohol-related ICD-10 diagnoses account for a fourth of all diagnoses in these patients. Homeless patients under the influence of alcohol stay longer in hospital emergency departments than do sober homeless people, which may translate into more frequent acts of aggression towards medical personnel. In Poland there are no systemic ED-level solutions as regards dealing with homeless patients for whom alcohol dependence is in many cases a reality.
The aim of the study is to identify the most common mental and behavioral disorders diagnosed in homeless patients admitted to hospital emergency departments and to identify performed medical procedures including diagnostic and therapeutic measures in this range. Material and Method:Data from information systems of three hospitals concerning stays of homeless people in ED in Bydgoszcz in 2013-2015 were analyzed. As any as 3133 stays were identified. The data was compiled using the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and Statistica 10 statistical software package. Results: Diagnoses in the category of mental disorders and behavioral disorders constituted 23.3% of diagnoses made in the studied population, of which two thirds were psychiatric disorders and behavioral disorders caused by alcohol use. Specific personality disorders (5.84%), schizophrenia (3.82%), and mild mental retardation (2.24%) were diagnosed in patients. One tenth of all the ICD-9 procedures performed were the procedures of the category 94- Procedures related to mental condition Conclusions: Mental and behavioral disorders are one of the main reasons for admission of homeless people to hospital emergency departments. Most diseases is diagnosed in facilities where psychiatric consultation is possible, as well as where the number of procedures related to mental condition performed is the highest. Homeless patients suffering from mental and behavioral disorders are rarely admitted to hospital wards for hospitalization. Psychiatric care for homeless patients admitted to emergency departments is an ad hoc intervention and depends on the availability of a psychiatrist. Providing homeless patients with access to a psychiatric diagnosis at ED level would affect the quality of psychiatric care and would contribute to the improvement of mental health of homeless people.
Introduction. Hospital emergency departments (ED) are places of the highest aggression rates towards staff. In Poland, in the case of violent behavior personnel can exercise the right to legal protection reserved to public officials. To be able to exercise it, personnel should document the course of violent behavior they were subject to. Aim. The aim of the study was to examine whether the staff of ED document violent behavior they are subject to in the workplace and to answer the question: what factors are they taking into account while reporting or not violent behavior incidents. Methods. The study was conducted among medical personnel of six hospital ED in Poland. A total of 282 health care professionals took part in the study. The diagnostic survey method was applied. The data was compiled using Statistica PL and Microsoft Excel software. Results. 43.3% of respondents always document cases of violent behavior and 5.3% never do it. The personnel document aggression mainly for the purpose of their own safety - 44.8%. 40% of respondents who do not document acts of aggression consider it pointless. Conclusions. Cases of aggression are registered in medical records by nearly every second person of medical professional. The reasons for documenting cases of aggression include: concern for own safety, procedures in force in the unit, fear of further consequences.
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