(WHS-P81) Maximizing wound care treatment post discharge in patients affected by homelessness
Friday, May 17, 2024
7:30 AM – 5:00 PM East Coast USA Time
Patients who are homeless regularly must overcome tremendous barriers to obtain health care post discharge from hospitalizations, surgeries, emergency departments, and urgent care clinics. Lack of health insurance and financial hardship are commonly experienced by many people in the United States living below the poverty line. Often, basic needs such as food and shelter outweigh obtaining proper healthcare. An aspect of healthcare that frequently burdens individuals who are homeless is proper wound care. With many homeless individuals experiencing multiple health comorbidities leading to chronic wounds (diabetic ulcers, chronic ulcers, venous insufficiency, lack of properly fitting shoes, needle injuries, injuries from the environment, mental illness, post-surgical incisions), it appears imperative that we must do a better job at implementing effective wound care strategies when working with this specific population. This review prompts a current analysis of what the standard for wound care is in our homeless population in addition to what means this population has to obtain proper materials and education for wound healing. We propose a call to action for emergency departments, free clinics, and shelters to offer additional education and supplies for chronic wounds seen in patients experiencing homelessness.