The ER social worker: cost-effective, crisis-oriented discharge planning--and more

The emergency room social worker exemplifies, in a crisis-oriented context, the ability of social workers to make a difference, in real terms, in situations of patient and family need--physical, environmental, and emotional. Our hospital has come to see the opportunity for community care and support, coupled nicely with the ability to decrease burdensome and costly social admissions and lessen time patients spend waiting in the ER. Patients and their families are well served in our ER. Much clinical social work is done because the workers are there, available, caring, and able to help. ER social workers have also served as clinical supervisors for graduate social work students in field placements. The ER social worker serves as a valued extension in our discharge planning. We recommend this role for your consideration.