| Description |
During the winter of 2024-2025, five homeless patients were admitted to the B50 Unit at the University of Utah Hospital with serious conditions: sepsis, cellulitis, infected diabetic foot, avascular necrosis, and sickle cell crisis. All were unemployed and covered by Medicaid. Four were discharged to local shelters (MVP Shelter, The Road Home, and Gail Miller Women's Shelter), while one received outpatient care through Fourth Street Clinic. Cases without a confirmed discharge destination were excluded. This descriptive review, conducted with the unit's social worker, highlighted administrative and social challenges at discharge, especially the lack of a formal system to track patients returning to the streets. This gap limits understanding of the issue's full scope. The hospital faces increased demand in winter, as cold weather worsens medical conditions among the unhoused. A shortage of shelter beds and the absence of a structured follow-up system complicate care continuity. It is recommended to implement a data collection system for homeless patients discharged to the streets. Tracking diagnoses, treatments, and follow-up referrals would support better institutional planning, strengthen community partnerships, and improve health outcomes. A more coordinated approach could significantly enhance support for this vulnerable population. |
