REACHing Out: connecting EMS patients to social services

ABSTRACT

The burden of untreated physical and behavioral health issues leads to significant morbidity and mortality among individuals who are homeless and unstably housed. In King County, Washington, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division, Public Health – Seattle & King County and community partners conducted a pilot study to divert high 9-1-1 utilizing, low acuity, homeless patients to REACH (an integrated care management program) to improve the experience of care, reduce reliance on 9-1-1 for non-medical needs, and address the needs of the target population. The mixed-methods evaluation extracted information from referral forms and community partner databases. Site visits, interviews and completed surveys from key stakeholders, identified facilitators, barriers, and improvements for future projects. Over the 12-month pilot, 37 eligible patients were seen by first responders from two large fire departments and referred to REACH. Of those 37 patients, three patients were accepted into housing assistance programs, and two patients obtained temporary shelter. Key findings confirmed the highly complex needs of eligible patients due to the multitude of medical, behavioral health, and addiction-related illnesses the target population experiences, and the extreme level of coordinated resources needed to achieve an impact.

KEYWORDS:

• Low
• acuity
• homeless
• emergency
• housing

Acknowledgements

This pilot and evaluation would not have been possible without the substantial commitment, leadership, and collaboration displayed from all project partners guided by their resilience in serving this target population. Project partners included the University of Washington, Public Health-Seattle & King County, Puget Sound Fire Authority, Renton Fire Authority and REACH.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Thomas McAuliffe

Thomas McAuliffe is a Master of Public Health Graduate from the University of Washington, School of Public Health.

Michele Plorde

Michele Plorde, MPH, is the Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County: Emergency Medical Services Division.

Hendrika Meischke

Hendrika Meischke, PhD, is a Professor for the Department of Health Services, at the University of Washington.

Marlee Fischer

Marlee Fischer, MPH, is a Project/Program Manager for Public Health - Seattle & King County: Emergency Medical Services Division.