A Department of Social Work Uses Data to Prove Its Case (88-99B)

Abstract

The introductions of managed care with its emphasis on cost containment has led a Department of Social Work Services at a large urban teaching center to better document and justify its roles. A concrete result was the saving of social work positions during budget cutbacks and downsizing. There is also information in these data to help clarify the differential roles of social workers and utilization review nurses in the hospital case management/discharge planning processes. The system came about because of concerns around cost containment, the need for more systematic discharge planning and the advent of the Prospective Payment System and Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG's) as a means of reimbursement to hospitals.

Measuring Productivity in Medical Social Work

“…Rather, the concepts can be incorporated into social work departments of any size and in any practice setting. Auerbach et al (2000) noted the following:…”

Factors Related to Admissions to a Psychiatry Unit from a Medical Emergency Room: The Role of Social Work

“…The problem categories are derived from the author's previous research (Auerbach, Rock, Goldstein, Kaminsky, & Heft-LaPorte, 2000;Auerbach et al, 2007). The sheet consisted of prior living arrangement, discharge disposition, type of problem, and interventions.…”

When high pressure, system constraints, and a social justice mission collide: A socio-structural analysis of emergency department social work services

“…Social workers in the ED provide care coordination services and mental health services, including chemical dependency counseling and crisis counseling; they provide thorough assessments and concrete services such as shelter and transportation that contribute to effective discharge plans for complex patients with multiple comorbidities and service needs (Moore et al, 2016). They can save medical providers’ time (Gordon, 2001), enroll patients in insurance programs (Mahajan, et al, 2005), and assist with developing home care and discharge plans (Auerbach, et al, 2001). In the ED, social workers often receive referrals for patients with the most complex mental health and social needs (Auerbach, et al, 2001; Auerbach, et al, 2007; Auerbach and Mason, 2010).…”

“…They can save medical providers’ time (Gordon, 2001), enroll patients in insurance programs (Mahajan, et al, 2005), and assist with developing home care and discharge plans (Auerbach, et al, 2001). In the ED, social workers often receive referrals for patients with the most complex mental health and social needs (Auerbach, et al, 2001; Auerbach, et al, 2007; Auerbach and Mason, 2010). Much of the available research on ED social services has focused on types of services provided (see references above), a specific patient population (see for instance the many studies related to high users of the ED summarized in Moe, et al, 2016; Soril, et al, 2015), or specific interventions (see for instance the many studies testing SBIRT summarized in Babor, et al, 2007).…”