Grade M, Stark N, Emanuels D, Lu A, Doshi J, Leung S, Peabody C. Discharge Navigator: Implementation and Cross-Sectional Evaluation of a Digital Decision Tool for Social Resources upon Emergency Department Discharge.
West J Emerg Med 2022;
23:637-643. [PMID:
36205681 PMCID:
PMC9541983 DOI:
10.5811/westjem.2022.5.55015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction
Many patients have unaddressed social needs that significantly impact their health, yet navigating the landscape of available resources and eligibility requirements is complex for both patients and clinicians.
Methods
Using an iterative design-thinking approach, our multidisciplinary team built, tested, and deployed a digital decision tool called “Discharge Navigator” (edrive.ucsf.edu/dcnav) that helps emergency clinicians identify targeted social resources for patients upon discharge from the acute care setting. The tool uses each patient’s clinical and demographic information to tailor recommended community resources, providing the clinician with action items, pandemic restrictions, and patient handouts for relevant resources in five languages. We implemented two modules at our urban, academic, Level I trauma center.
Results
Over the 10-week period following product launch, between 4–81 on-shift emergency clinicians used our tool each week. Anonymously surveyed clinicians (n = 53) reported a significant increase in awareness of homelessness resources (33% pre to 70% post, P<0.0001) and substance use resources (17% to 65%, P<0.0001); confidence in accessing resources (22% to 74%, P<0.0001); knowledge of eligibility criteria (13% to 75%, P<0.0001); and ability to refer patients always or most of the time (11% to 43%, P<0.0001). The average likelihood to recommend the tool was 7.8 of 10.
Conclusion
Our design process and low-cost tool may be replicated at other institutions to improve knowledge and referrals to local community resources.
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