Table 2 Summary of resources and supports provided to patients seen by Peer Workers in the emergency department from February 4th- June 30th, 2022 (N = 555)
Characteristic | N (%) |
|---|---|
Service referrals provided to patients | |
Found patient a shelter bed | 300 (54.1%) |
Connected patient to a rapid access addiction medicine clinic, detox/rehab centre, or other addiction support group | 194 (35.0%) |
Referred patient to a hot meal or food site | 130 (23.4%) |
Connected patient to a mental health treatment centre | 28 (5.0%) |
Connected patient to other treatment centre (e.g., community based primary care clinic) | 11 (2.0%) |
Longer-term housing support (e.g., help with housing application) | 8 (1.4%) |
Call to crisis hotline (e.g., domestic violence) | 7 (1.3%) |
Supported patient with income aid (e.g., Ontario Works application) | 4 (0.7%) |
Supported patient in finding employment | 3 (0.5%) |
Connected them with their TNG case worker | 1 (0.2%) |
Other supports | 18 (3.2%) |
Tangible resources offered to patients | |
Food | 478 (86.1%) |
TTC tokens/taxi transport | 268 (48.3%) |
Clothes | 199 (35.9%) |
Naloxone kit | 20 (3.6%) |
Other harm reduction supplies (e.g., long needles) | 10 (1.8%) |
Other resources | 15 (2.7%) |
Emotional support provided to patients* | |
Had friendly & empathetic conversations | 507 (91.4%) |
Supported discharge planning | 331 (59.6%) |
Helped navigate their emotions/mental wellbeing | 321 (57.8%) |
Shared lived experience | 278 (50.1%) |
Advocated to hospital staff for patient care | 87 (15.7%) |
Brought them out for a cigarette break | 59 (10.6%) |
Provided information on hospital resources or what will be happening to them in the ED | 37 (6.7%) |
Other | 13 (2.3%) |
Instances where the peer shared new information about the patient with other health care providers | 216 (38.9%) |
Number of successful conflict de-escalationsb | 40 (60.6%) |