Training Clinicians to Care for Patients Where They Are

Homelessness remains a pervasive, long-standing problem in the United States and is poised to increase as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Individuals experiencing homelessness bear a higher burden of complex medical and mental health illnesses and often struggle to obtain quality and timely health care. The United States desperately needs to train a workforce to confront this large and growing crisis, but few health professional schools currently devote curricula to the clinical needs of people experiencing homelessness. This article discusses educational and curricular strategies for health professional students. Understanding the health needs of-and the social influences on the lives of-people experiencing homelessness is crucial for addressing this health equity challenge.

The Use of High-Risk Criteria to Assess Mortality Risk among Unsheltered Homeless Persons

We assessed the ability of high-risk criteria developed by Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program to identify increased mortality during a 10-year cohort study (January 2000-December 2009) of 445 unsheltered adults. To qualify as high-risk for mortality, an individual slept unsheltered for six consecutive months or longer plus had one or more of the following characteristics: tri-morbidity, defined as co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and addiction diagnoses; one or more inpatient or respite admissions; three or more emergency department visits; 60 years old or older; HIV/AIDS; cirrhosis; renal failure; frostbite, hypothermia, or immersion foot. A total of 119 (26.7%) individuals met the high-risk criteria. The remaining 326 individuals in the cohort were considered lowerrisk. During the study, 134 deaths occurred; 52 (38.8%) were among high-risk individuals. Compared with sheltered individuals, the age-standardized mortality ratio for the high-risk group was 4.0 (95% confidence interval 3.0, 5.2) times higher and for the lower-risk group was 2.2 (1.8, 2.8) times higher. The hazard ratio, a measure of survival, for the high-risk group was 1.7 (1.2, 2.4) times that of the lower-risk group. High-risk criteria predicted an increased likelihood of mortality among unsheltered individuals. The lower-risk group also had high mortality rates compared with sheltered individuals.

Health Care Spending And Use Among People Experiencing Unstable Housing In The Era Of Accountable Care Organizations

Provider organizations are increasingly held accountable for health care spending in vulnerable populations. Longitudinal data on health care spending and use among people experiencing episodes of homelessness could inform the design of alternative payment models. We used Medicaid claims data to analyze spending and use among 402 people who were continuously enrolled in the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) from 2013 through 2015, compared to spending and use among 18,638 people who were continuously enrolled in Massachusetts Medicaid with no evidence of experiencing homelessness. The BHCHP population averaged $18,764 per person per year in spending-2.5 times more than spending among the comparison Medicaid population ($7,561). In unadjusted analyses this difference was explained by greater spending in the BHCHP population on outpatient care, including emergency department care, as well as on inpatient care and prescription drugs. After adjustment for covariates and multiple hypothesis testing, the difference was largely driven by outpatient spending. Differences were sensitive to adjustments for risk score, which suggests that housing instability and health risk are meaningfully correlated. This longitudinal analysis improves understanding of health care use and resource needs among people who are homeless or have unstable housing, and it could inform the design of alternative payment models for vulnerable populations.

Housing Boston's Chronically Homeless Unsheltered Population: 14 Years Later

OBJECTIVE

The long-term outcomes of permanent supportive housing for chronically unsheltered individuals, or rough sleepers, are largely unknown. We therefore assessed housing outcomes for a group of unsheltered individuals who were housed directly from the streets after living outside for decades.

METHODS

Using an open-cohort design, 73 chronically unsheltered individuals were enrolled and housed in permanent supportive housing directly from the streets of Boston from 2005 to 2019. Through descriptive, regression, and survival analysis, we assessed housing retention, housing stability, and predictors of survival.

RESULTS

Housing retention at ≥1 year was 82% yet fell to 36% at ≥5 years; corresponding Kaplan-Meier estimates for retention were 72% at ≥1, 42.5% at ≥5, and 37.5% at ≥10 years. Nearly half of the cohort (45%) died while housed. The co-occurrence of medical, psychiatric, and substance use disorder, or "trimorbidity," was common. Moves to a new apartment were also common; 38% were moved 45 times to avoid an eviction. Each subsequent housing relocation increased the risk of a tenant returning to homelessness. Three or more housing relocations substantially increased the risk of death.

CONCLUSIONS

Long-term outcomes for this permanent supportive housing program for chronically unsheltered individuals showed low housing retention and poor survival. Housing stability for this vulnerable population likely requires more robust and flexible and long-term medical and social supports.

Substance consumption and intoxication patterns in a medically supervised overdose prevention program for people experiencing homelessness

Background: Opioid overdose is a leading cause of death among homeless individuals. Combining psychoactive substances with opioids increases overdose risk. This study aimed to describe intoxication patterns at a drop-in space offering medical monitoring and harm reduction services to individuals who arrive intoxicated and at risk of overdose. Methods: We examined data from visits to the Supportive Place for Observation and Treatment at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. We used k-means cluster analysis to characterize intoxication patterns based on clinically assessed sedation levels and vital sign parameters. Multinomial logistic regression analysis assessed demographic and substance consumption predictors of cluster membership. Linear and logistic regression models examined associations between cluster membership and care outcomes. Results: Across 305 care episodes involving 156 unique patients, cluster analysis revealed 3 distinct intoxication patterns. Cluster A (26.6%) had mild sedation and normal vital signs. Cluster B (44.5%) featured greater sedation with bradycardia and/or hypotension. Cluster C (28.9%) was comparable to cluster B but with the addition of hypoxia. Self-reported consumption of non-opioid sedatives prior to arrival was common (63.3% of episodes) and predicted membership in cluster B (aOR 2.75, 95% CI 1.40, 5.40) and cluster C (aOR 3.38, 95% CI 1.48, 7.70). In comparison to cluster A episodes, cluster C episodes were longer (mean 4.8 vs. 2.3 hours, p < 0.001) and more likely to require supplemental oxygen (27.3% vs. 2.5%, p < 0.001). Few episodes required hospital transfer (4.7%) or naloxone (1.0%). No deaths occurred. Conclusions: In a medically supervised overdose monitoring program, reported use of non-opioid sedatives strongly predicted more complex clinical courses and should be factored into overdose prevention efforts. Low-threshold medical monitoring in an ambulatory setting was sufficient for most episodes, suggesting a role for such programs in reducing harm and averting costly emergency services.

Addressing COVID-19 Among People Experiencing Homelessness: Description, Adaptation, and Early Findings of a Multiagency Response in Boston

People experiencing homelessness are at high risk for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In March 2020, Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, in partnership with city and state public health agencies, municipal leaders, and homeless service providers, developed and implemented a citywide COVID-19 care model for this vulnerable population. Components included symptom screening at shelter front doors, expedited testing at pop-up sites, isolation and management venues for symptomatic people under investigation and for people with confirmed disease, quarantine venues for asymptomatic exposed people, and contact investigation and tracing. Real-time disease surveillance efforts in a large shelter outbreak of COVID-19 during the third week of operations illustrated the need for several adaptations to the care model to better respond to the local epidemiology of illness among people experiencing homelessness. Symptom screening was de-emphasized given the high number of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic infections discovered during mass testing; contact tracing and quarantining were phased out under the assumption of universal exposure among the sheltered population; and isolation and management venues were rapidly expanded to accommodate a surge in people with newly diagnosed COVID-19. During the first 6 weeks of operation, 429 of 1297 (33.1%) tested people were positive for COVID-19; of these, 395 people were experiencing homelessness at the time of testing, representing about 10% of the homeless adult population in Boston. Universal testing, as resources permit, is a focal point of ongoing efforts to mitigate the effect of COVID-19 on this vulnerable group of people.

Electronic medical record implementation for a healthcare system caring for homeless people

Objective

Electronic medical record (EMR) implementation at centers caring for homeless people is constrained by limited resources and the increased disease burden of the patient population. Few informatics articles address this issue. This report describes Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program’s migration to new EMR software without loss of unique care elements and processes.

Materials and methods

Workflows for clinical and operational functions were analyzed and modeled, focusing particularly on resource constraints and comorbidities. Workflows were optimized, standardized, and validated before go-live by user groups who provided design input. Software tools were configured to support optimized workflows. Customization was minimal. Training used the optimized configuration in a live training environment allowing users to learn and use the software before go-live.

Results

Implementation was rapidly accomplished over 6 months. Productivity was reduced at most minimally over the initial 3 months. During the first full year, quality indicator levels were maintained. Keys to success were completing before go-live workflow analysis, workflow mapping, building of documentation templates, creation of screen shot guides, role-based phased training, and standardization of processes. Change management strategies were valuable. The early availability of a configured training environment was essential. With this methodology, the software tools were chosen and workflows optimized that addressed the challenges unique to caring for homeless people.

Conclusions

Successful implementation of an EMR to care for homeless people was achieved through detailed workflow analysis, optimizing and standardizing workflows, configuring software, and initiating training all well before go-live. This approach was particularly suitable for a homeless population.

Mortality Among Unsheltered Homeless Adults in Boston, Massachusetts, 2000-2009

IMPORTANCE

Previous studies have shown high mortality rates among homeless people in general, but little is known about the patterns of mortality among "rough sleepers," the subgroup of unsheltered urban homeless people who avoid emergency shelters and primarily sleep outside.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the mortality rates and causes of death for a cohort of unsheltered homeless adults from Boston, Massachusetts.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A 10-year prospective cohort study (2000-2009) of 445 unsheltered homeless adults in Boston, Massachusetts, who were seen during daytime street and overnight van clinical visits performed by the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program's Street Team during 2000. Data used to describe the unsheltered homeless cohort and to document causes of death were gathered from clinical encounters, medical records, the National Death Index, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health death occurrence files. The study data set was linked to the death occurrence files by using a probabilistic record linkage program to confirm the deaths. Data analysis was performed from May 1, 2015, to September 6, 2016.

EXPOSURE

Being unsheltered in an urban setting.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Age-standardized all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates and age-stratified incident rate ratios that were calculated for the unsheltered adult cohort using 2 comparison groups: the nonhomeless Massachusetts adult population and an adult homeless cohort from Boston who slept primarily in shelters.

RESULTS

Of 445 unsheltered adults in the study cohort, the mean (SD) age at enrollment was 44 (11.4) years, 299 participants (67.2%) were non-Hispanic white, and 72.4% were men. Among the 134 individuals who died, the mean (SD) age at death was 53 (11.4) years. The all-cause mortality rate for the unsheltered cohort was almost 10 times higher than that of the Massachusetts population (standardized mortality rate, 9.8; 95% CI, 8.2-11.5) and nearly 3 times higher than that of the adult homeless cohort (standardized mortality rate, 2.7; 95% CI, 2.3-3.2). Non-Hispanic black individuals had more than half the rate of death compared with non-Hispanic white individuals, with a rate ratio of 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2-0.7; P < .001). The most common causes of death were noncommunicable diseases (eg, cancer and heart disease), alcohol use disorder, and chronic liver disease.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Mortality rates for unsheltered homeless adults in this study were higher than those for the Massachusetts adult population and a sheltered adult homeless cohort with equivalent services. This study suggests that this distinct subpopulation of homeless people merits special attention to meet their unique clinical and psychosocial needs.

Tobacco-, alcohol-, and drug-attributable deaths and their contribution to mortality disparities in a cohort of homeless adults in Boston

OBJECTIVES

We quantified tobacco-, alcohol-, and drug-attributable deaths and their contribution to mortality disparities among homeless adults.

METHODS

We ascertained causes of death among 28 033 adults seen at the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program in 2003 to 2008. We calculated population-attributable fractions to estimate the proportion of deaths attributable to tobacco, alcohol, or drug use. We compared attributable mortality rates with those for Massachusetts adults using rate ratios and differences.

RESULTS

Of 1302 deaths, 236 were tobacco-attributable, 215 were alcohol-attributable, and 286 were drug-attributable. Fifty-two percent of deaths were attributable to any of these substances. In comparison with Massachusetts adults, tobacco-attributable mortality rates were 3 to 5 times higher, alcohol-attributable mortality rates were 6 to 10 times higher, and drug-attributable mortality rates were 8 to 17 times higher. Disparities in substance-attributable deaths accounted for 57% of the all-cause mortality gap between the homeless cohort and Massachusetts adults.

CONCLUSIONS

In this clinic-based cohort of homeless adults, over half of all deaths were substance-attributable, but this did not fully explain the mortality disparity with the general population. Interventions should address both addiction and non-addiction sources of excess mortality.

Comparing homeless persons' care experiences in tailored versus nontailored primary care programs

OBJECTIVES

We compared homeless patients' experiences of care in health care organizations that differed in their degree of primary care design service tailoring.

METHODS

We surveyed homeless-experienced patients (either recently or currently homeless) at 3 Veterans Affairs (VA) mainstream primary care settings in Pennsylvania and Alabama, a homeless-tailored VA clinic in California, and a highly tailored non-VA Health Care for the Homeless Program in Massachusetts (January 2011-March 2012). We developed a survey, the "Primary Care Quality-Homeless Survey," to reflect the concerns and aspirations of homeless patients.

RESULTS

Mean scores at the tailored non-VA site were superior to those from the 3 mainstream VA sites (P < .001). Adjusting for patient characteristics, these differences remained significant for subscales assessing the patient-clinician relationship (P < .001) and perceptions of cooperation among providers (P = .004). There were 1.5- to 3-fold increased odds of an unfavorable experience in the domains of the patient-clinician relationship, cooperation, and access or coordination for the mainstream VA sites compared with the tailored non-VA site; the tailored VA site attained intermediate results.

CONCLUSIONS

Tailored primary care service design was associated with a superior service experience for patients who experienced homelessness.

Mortality among homeless adults in Boston: shifts in causes of death over a 15-year period

BACKGROUND

Homeless persons experience excess mortality, but US-based studies on this topic are outdated or lack information about causes of death. To our knowledge, no studies have examined shifts in causes of death for this population over time.

METHODS

We assessed all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in a cohort of 28 033 adults 18 years or older who were seen at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2008. Deaths were identified through probabilistic linkage to the Massachusetts death occurrence files. We compared mortality rates in this cohort with rates in the 2003-2008 Massachusetts population and a 1988-1993 cohort of homeless adults in Boston using standardized rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 1302 deaths occurred during 90 450 person-years of observation. Drug overdose (n = 219), cancer (n = 206), and heart disease (n = 203) were the major causes of death. Drug overdose accounted for one-third of deaths among adults younger than 45 years. Opioids were implicated in 81% of overdose deaths. Mortality rates were higher among whites than nonwhites. Compared with Massachusetts adults, mortality disparities were most pronounced among younger individuals, with rates about 9-fold higher in 25- to 44-year-olds and 4.5-fold higher in 45- to 64-year-olds. In comparison with 1988-1993 rates, reductions in deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were offset by 3- and 2-fold increases in deaths owing to drug overdose and psychoactive substance use disorders, resulting in no significant difference in overall mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The all-cause mortality rate among homeless adults in Boston remains high and unchanged since 1988 to 1993 despite a major interim expansion in clinical services. Drug overdose has replaced HIV as the emerging epidemic. Interventions to reduce mortality in this population should include behavioral health integration into primary medical care, public health initiatives to prevent and reverse drug overdose, and social policy measures to end homelessness.

The hunger-obesity paradox: obesity in the homeless

Despite stereotypes of the homeless population as underweight, the literature lacks a rigorous analysis of weight status in homeless adults. The purpose of this study is to present the body mass index (BMI) distribution in a large adult homeless population and to compare this distribution to the non-homeless population in the United States. Demographic, BMI, and socioeconomic variables from patients seen in 2007-2008 were collected from the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP). This population was compared to non-homeless adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Among 5,632 homeless adults, the mean BMI was 28.4 kg/m(2) and the prevalence of obesity was 32.3 %. Only 1.6 % of homeless adults were underweight. Compared to mean BMI in NHANES (28.6 kg/m(2)), the difference was not significant in unadjusted analysis (p = 0.14). Adjusted analyses predicting BMI or likelihood of obesity also showed that the homeless had a weight distribution not statistically different from the general population. Although underweight has been traditionally associated with homelessness, this study suggests that obesity may be the new malnutrition of the homeless in the United States.

Food insufficiency and health services utilization in a national sample of homeless adults

BACKGROUND

Homeless people have high rates of hospitalization and emergency department (ED) use. Obtaining adequate food is a common concern among homeless people and may influence health care utilization.

OBJECTIVE

We tested the hypothesis that food insufficiency is related to higher rates of hospitalization and ED use in a national sample of homeless adults.

DESIGN

We analyzed data from the 2003 Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) User Survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Participants were 966 adults surveyed at 79 HCH clinic sites throughout the US. The study sample was representative of over 436,000 HCH clinic users nationally.

MEASURES

We determined the prevalence and characteristics of food insufficiency among respondents. Using multivariable logistic regression, we examined the association between food insufficiency and four past-year acute health services utilization outcomes: (1) hospitalization for any reason, (2) psychiatric hospitalization, (3) any ED use, and (4) high ED use (≥ 4 visits).

RESULTS

Overall, 25% of respondents reported food insufficiency. Among them, 68% went a whole day without eating in the past month. Chronically homeless (p = 0.01) and traumatically victimized (p = 0.001) respondents were more likely to be food insufficient. In multivariable analyses, food insufficiency was associated with significantly greater odds of hospitalization for any reason (AOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.07, 2.36), psychiatric hospitalization (AOR 3.12, 95% CI 1.73, 5.62), and high ED utilization (AOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.32, 6.08).

CONCLUSIONS

One-fourth of homeless adults in this national survey were food insufficient, and this was associated with increased odds of acute health services utilization. Addressing the adverse health services utilization patterns of homeless adults will require attention to the social circumstances that may contribute to this issue.

The Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program: a public health framework

During the past 25 years, the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program has evolved into a service model embodying the core functions and essential services of public health. Each year the program provides integrated medical, behavioral, and oral health care, as well as preventive services, to more than 11 000 homeless people. Services are delivered in clinics located in 2 teaching hospitals, 80 shelters and soup kitchens, and an innovative 104-bed medical respite unit. We explain the program's principles of care, describe the public health framework that undergirds the program, and offer lessons for the elimination of health disparities suffered by this vulnerable population.

The unmet health care needs of homeless adults: a national study

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the prevalence and predictors of past-year unmet needs for 5 types of health care services in a national sample of homeless adults.

METHODS

We analyzed data from 966 adult respondents to the 2003 Health Care for the Homeless User Survey, a sample representing more than 436,000 individuals nationally. Using multivariable logistic regression, we determined the independent predictors of each type of unmet need.

RESULTS

Seventy-three percent of the respondents reported at least one unmet health need, including an inability to obtain needed medical or surgical care (32%), prescription medications (36%), mental health care (21%), eyeglasses (41%), and dental care (41%). In multivariable analyses, significant predictors of unmet needs included food insufficiency, out-of-home placement as a minor, vision impairment, and lack of health insurance. Individuals who had been employed in the past year were more likely than those who had not to be uninsured and to have unmet needs for medical care and prescription medications.

CONCLUSIONS

This national sample of homeless adults reported substantial unmet needs for multiple types of health care. Expansion of health insurance may improve health care access for homeless adults, but addressing the unique challenges inherent to homelessness will also be required.

Post-hospital medical respite care and hospital readmission of homeless persons

Medical respite programs offer medical, nursing, and other care as well as accommodation for homeless persons discharged from acute hospital stays. They represent a community-based adaptation of urban health systems to the specific needs of homeless persons. This article examines whether post-hospital discharge to a homeless medical respite program was associated with a reduced chance of 90-day readmission compared to other disposition options. Adjusting for imbalances in patient characteristics using propensity scores, respite patients were the only group that was significantly less likely to be readmitted within 90 days compared to those released to Own Care. Respite programs merit attention as a potentially efficacious service for homeless persons leaving the hospital.

Treating homeless opioid dependent patients with buprenorphine in an office-based setting

CONTEXT

Although office-based opioid treatment with buprenorphine (OBOT-B) has been successfully implemented in primary care settings in the US, its use has not been reported in homeless patients.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the feasibility of OBOT-B in homeless relative to housed patients.

DESIGN

A retrospective record review examining treatment failure, drug use, utilization of substance abuse treatment services, and intensity of clinical support by a nurse care manager (NCM) among homeless and housed patients in an OBOT-B program between August 2003 and October 2004. Treatment failure was defined as elopement before completing medication induction, discharge after medication induction due to ongoing drug use with concurrent nonadherence with intensified treatment, or discharge due to disruptive behavior.

RESULTS

Of 44 homeless and 41 housed patients enrolled over 12 months, homeless patients were more likely to be older, nonwhite, unemployed, infected with HIV and hepatitis C, and report a psychiatric illness. Homeless patients had fewer social supports and more chronic substance abuse histories with a 3- to 6-fold greater number of years of drug use, number of detoxification attempts and percentage with a history of methadone maintenance treatment. The proportion of subjects with treatment failure for the homeless (21%) and housed (22%) did not differ (P = .94). At 12 months, both groups had similar proportions with illicit opioid use [Odds ratio (OR), 0.9 (95% CI, 0.5-1.7) P = .8], utilization of counseling (homeless, 46%; housed, 49%; P = .95), and participation in mutual-help groups (homeless, 25%; housed, 29%; P = .96). At 12 months, 36% of the homeless group was no longer homeless. During the first month of treatment, homeless patients required more clinical support from the NCM than housed patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite homeless opioid dependent patients' social instability, greater comorbidities, and more chronic drug use, office-based opioid treatment with buprenorphine was effectively implemented in this population comparable to outcomes in housed patients with respect to treatment failure, illicit opioid use, and utilization of substance abuse treatment.

A public health approach to reducing morbidity and mortality among homeless people in Boston

Urban homeless populations suffer disproportionately high rates of premature death. In response to a wave of highly publicized deaths on the streets of Boston during the winter of 1998-1999, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) convened a task force to investigate these deaths and implement an integrated response to this public health crisis. Comprised of a broad coalition of public and private agencies as well as homeless persons and advocacy groups, the MDPH Task Force reviewed the circumstances surrounding the 13 deaths, monitored subsequent deaths among homeless persons in Boston, and implemented a comprehensive plan to address critical needs and prevent further deaths. Contrary to the task force's initial assumption, the 13 decedents had multiple recent contacts with the medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse systems. In response to this finding, the MDPH Task Force sought to improve continuity of care and prevent future deaths among Boston's street population. Coordination of needed services was achieved through the creation of new, and often unconventional, partnerships. This case study exemplifies a public health practice response to the vexing health care challenges confronting homeless people who must struggle to survive on the streets and in shelters.

Old and Sleeping Rough: Elderly Homeless Persons on the Streets of Boston

Older individuals living on the streets of our urban cities are a unique sub-group of the homeless population. No studies have been published about these elderly “rough sleepers” who face daunting obstacles to health care while facing a litany of health risks on the streets that are magnified by the physical and mental limitations of advancing years. To improve our understanding of this itinerant group, the Street Team of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program prospectively followed 30 individuals aged 60 or older living on Boston’s streets for the four-year period from 2000 through 2003. This cohort included 8 (27%) women and 22 (73%) men ranging in age from 60 to 82 years. The average age was 67 years old. At the end of the four year study period, 9 (30%) had died and 6 (20%) were in nursing homes. Despite intense efforts, only 5 (17%) found housing. Seven (23%) were still on Boston’s streets after four years, and one was lost to follow-up. We conclude that elderly rough sleepers have high morbidity and mortality and pose significant challenges to programs seeking to provide housing and supportive health care services for this vulnerable sub-group of elderly homeless persons. New and creative housing options are needed, and the delicate issues of competency and guardianship must be addressed.

The Kenneth B. Schwartz Center at Massachusetts General Hospital Hematology‐Oncology Department: Hope for the Homeless

Shortly before his death in 1995, Kenneth B. Schwartz, a cancer patient at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), founded the Kenneth B. Schwartz Center at MGH. The Schwartz Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and advancing compassionate health care delivery, which provides hope to the patient and support to caregivers and encourages the healing process. The Center sponsors the Schwartz Center Rounds, a monthly multidisciplinary forum during which caregivers discuss a specific cancer patient, reflect on the important psychological issues faced by patients, their families, and their caregivers, and gain insight and support from their fellow staff members. A homeless man with head and neck cancer presents to the emergency room: a sad and familiar story. But this story is redeemed by his 35-year friendship with a priest, a man whose unconditional love and support became critical to the patient's care and treatment. The patient had lived for 30 years in homeless shelters, had problems with alcohol abuse, and was notoriously noncompliant with medical caregivers. He could not speak due to his disease, was illiterate with limited intellectual capacity, and had neither a job nor a family. Despite huge and apparently insurmountable problems for the patient, the oncology team was able to carve out a package of care, successfully communicate, and mobilize a support network to allow successful completion of chemoradiation therapy. The team developed a strong commitment to his care and an affectionate bond, which very positively affected all of those involved. We discuss issues of access to cancer care, and the special problems presented by homeless patients.

Health care utilization among homeless adults prior to death

This study characterizes health care utilization prior to death in a group of 558 homeless adults in Boston. In the year before death, 27 percent of decedents had no outpatient visits, emergency department visits, or hospitalizations except those during which death occurred. However, 21 percent of homeless decedents had a health care contact within one month of death, and 21 percent had six or more outpatient visits in the year before death. Injection drug users and persons with HIV infection were more likely to have had contact with the health care system. This study concludes that homeless persons may be underusing health care services even when they are at high risk of death. Because a subset of homeless persons had extensive health care contacts prior to death, opportunities to prevent deaths may have been missed, and some deaths may not have been preventable through medical intervention.

Risk factors for death in homeless adults in Boston

BACKGROUND

Homeless individuals experience high mortality rates. Males, whites, and substance abusers are more likely to die, but other high-risk characteristics are unknown.

OBJECTIVE

To identify demographic and clinical factors associated with an increased risk of death in homeless individuals.

METHODS

We conducted a case-control study of 558 adults who were seen by a health care program for the homeless in Boston, Mass, and who died in 1988 to 1993. Age-matched paired controls were selected from among individuals seen by the program who were alive at the end of 1993. Predictive data were obtained by blinded review of medical records. Odds ratios (ORs) for death were calculated using logistic regression analysis models.

RESULTS

In a multivariate analysis, the strongest risk factors for death were acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (OR, 55.8), symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection (OR, 17.7), asymptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infection (OR, 4.1), renal disease (OR, 18.4), a history of cold-related injury (OR, 8.0), liver disease (OR, 3.8), and arrhythmia (OR, 3.3). A history of substance abuse involving injection drugs (OR, 1.6) or alcohol (OR, 1.5) also increased the risk of mortality. Nonfluency in English was associated with a decreased risk of death (OR, 0.4).

CONCLUSIONS

In a group of adults seen by a health care program for the homeless, specific medical illnesses were associated with the greatest risk of death. Substance abuse alone was less strongly associated with death. Interventions to reduce mortality among the homeless should focus on individuals with high-risk characteristics.

Causes of death in homeless adults in Boston

BACKGROUND

Homeless persons have high mortality rates.

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain causes of death in a group of homeless persons.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

PATIENTS

17,292 adults seen by the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program from 1988 to 1993.

MEASUREMENTS

Cause-specific mortality rates adjusted for race and rate ratios that compare mortality rates in homeless persons with those in the general population of Boston.

RESULTS

Homicide was the leading cause of death among men who were 18 to 24 years of age (mortality rate, 242.7 per 100000 person-years; rate ratio, 4.1). The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was the major cause of death in men (mortality rate, 336.5 per 100000 person-years; rate ratio, 2.0) and women (mortality rate, 116.0 per 100000 person-years; rate ratio, 5.0) who were 25 to 44 years of age. Heart disease and cancer were the leading causes of death in persons who were 45 to 64 years of age.

CONCLUSIONS

The most common causes of death among homeless adults who have contact with clinicians vary by age group. Efforts to reduce the rate of death among homeless persons should focus on these causes.

Rifampin preventive therapy for tuberculosis in Boston's homeless

An epidemic of isoniazid (INH)- and streptomycin (SM)-resistant tuberculosis began among Boston's homeless population in 1984. Individuals with skin test conversions who agreed to preventive therapy received either INH, rifampin, or a combination of INH and rifampin. A total of 204 individuals with documented tuberculin skin test conversions who did not have active tuberculosis at the time of the clinical evaluation for their positive skin test were eligible for preventive therapy. Data on type and length of preventive therapy were obtained from the Tuberculosis Clinic and the Boston Tuberculosis Registry records at Boston City Hospital. The individuals were followed for development of active tuberculosis. Six of 71 (8.6%) individuals who received no therapy, 3 of 38 (7.9%) in the INH group, and none in the rifampin or rifampin plus INH groups (49 and 37 persons, respectively) developed active tuberculosis. Patients in the rifampin group were significantly less likely to develop tuberculosis than patients in the no therapy group (p = 0.04; odds ratio [OR] = 0.00, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.00-0.91). Treatment with any rifampin-containing preventive therapy (rifampin or rifampin plus INH) was effective (p < 0.01 ) in preventing development of active disease. The three INH failures were with organisms that were resistant to INH.

AIDS among the homeless of Boston: a cohort study

We wanted to compare demographics, risk behaviors, AIDS-defining diagnoses, and survival between homeless and housed persons with AIDS in Boston from 1983 to 1991. Our retrospective cohort study used chart review to identify homeless AIDS cases and data from the Massachusetts AIDS Surveillance Program for comparison of homeless and nonhomeless cases. Seventy-two homeless and 1,536 nonhomeless Boston residents were reported to have AIDS between Jan. 1, 1983, and July 1, 1991. Homeless persons with AIDS were more likely to be African American or Latino (81 vs. 39%, p < 0.0001) and have i.v. drug use as a risk behavior (75 vs. 19%, p < 0.0001). The AIDS-defining diagnoses among the homeless were more commonly disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (9 vs. 2%, p < 0.0001) and esophageal candidiasis (17 vs. 9%, p < 0.01). These differences were not seen when the populations were stratified by i.v. drug use. No significant difference in survival between the homeless and nonhomeless cohorts was found. Homeless individuals with human immunodeficiency virus are significantly different than housed persons, and at greater risk of invasive opportunistic infections. Appropriate clinical strategies can be developed to provide needed care to homeless persons with HIV.

Nontuberculous respiratory infections among the homeless

In contrast to the extensive studies of pulmonary tuberculosis among homeless persons, virtually no data are available on nontuberculous respiratory infections in this population. This article reviews the literature on pulmonary infections and homelessness. The clinical experience of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is detailed, with emphasis on the role of multidisciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, and case workers in the integration of hospital- and shelter-based clinics necessary to provide primary care to a fragmented and transient population. The shelters facilitate the transmission of airborne pathogens, and homeless persons are often debilitated and susceptible hosts. Outbreaks of specific respiratory infections are examined, including pneumococcal pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae type b pneumonia, and influenza.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for neonatal respiratory failure. A report of 50 cases

From February 1985 through June 1987, 50 newborn infants in whom maximal ventilator therapy failed (80% predicted mortality) were treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) according to the following inclusion criteria: arterial oxygen tension less than 50 torr (alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient greater than 630 torr) for 2 hours or arterial oxygen tension less than 60 torr (alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient greater than 620 torr) for 8 hours. Criteria for exclusion from ECMO therapy included birth weight less than 2000 gm, gestational age less than 35 weeks, presence of intracranial hemorrhage, presence of other major congenital anomalies including cyanotic heart disease, and high levels of ventilatory support for more than 7 days. Mean birth weight was 3.28 +/- 0.56 kg, mean gestational age was 39.6 +/- 1.7 weeks, and mean age at the start of ECMO was 48.6 +/- 36.9 hours. Meconium aspiration, usually associated with persistent pulmonary hypertension, was the most common cause of pulmonary failure (62%). Mean pre-ECMO arterial oxygen tension during maximal ventilatory and pharmacologic support was 34.5 +/- 14.5 torr. Mean ventilatory support immediately before the institution of ECMO was as follows: peak inspiratory pressure 46.8 +/- 9.9 cm H2O, positive end-expiratory pressure 4.6 +/- 1.6 cm H2O, and intermittent mandatory ventilation rate 101.0 +/- 22.7 breaths/min with all patients receiving an inspired oxygen fraction of 1.0. Lung management to prevent pulmonary atelectasis during ECMO consisted of moderate levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (mean 10.3 +/- 2.6 cm H2O, range 8 to 14 in 94% of patients. Other mean ventilator parameters during ECMO were as follows: peak inspiratory pressure 22.8 +/- 1.6 cm H2O, intermittent mandatory ventilation rate 11.8 +/- 2.9, and inspired oxygen fraction 0.21. The overall long-term patient survival rate was 90%. Mean values for arterial blood gases and ventilator settings immediately after the discontinuation of ECMO were as follows: oxygen tension 78.4 +/- 22.1 torr, pH 7.39 +/- 0.10, carbon dioxide tension 37.4 +/- 10.7 torr, peak inspiratory pressure 25.2 +/- 3.9 cm H2O, positive end-expiratory pressure 5.6 +/- 1.2 cm H2O, and intermittent mandatory ventilation rate 41.3 +/- 12.6 with an inspired oxygen fraction of 0.42 +/- 0.17. Despite slightly higher levels of ventilator support (peak inspiratory pressure 46.8 versus 45.0 cm H2O, not significant) mean pre-ECMO oxygen tension was significantly lower than that reported from the National ECMO Registry (34.5 versus 42.0 torr, p less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)