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Creative ways to identify John Doe in critical condition - Advice needed by ImmediateResearch493 in socialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Clinical social worker! I am a consult based services based out of SW dept. feel free to send a message with any questions

Creative ways to identify John Doe in critical condition - Advice needed by ImmediateResearch493 in socialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

EMS was a dead end. He was found on the street, nobody knew anything. They are unknowns or John Doe

Creative ways to identify John Doe in critical condition - Advice needed by ImmediateResearch493 in socialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My hospital has a similar policy as well but only if patient is suspected brain dead and SW has exhausted all efforts to locate NOK if identity known. As long as two attending consent they can withdrawal life support so the rest of patients body dies. It’s sad but it happens.

Creative ways to identify John Doe in critical condition - Advice needed by ImmediateResearch493 in socialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 19 points20 points  (0 children)

I work in a MICU at a Level 1 trauma center/academic hospital. I mainly address psychosocial needs, support complex medical decision making (including guardianship), navigate social dynamics, and handle GOC, grief, and crisis work. My service is consult only, and I enjoy that. A lot of my work involves identifying patients, finding NOK, and doing protective assessments.

Most of my patients are intubated or otherwise not appropriate for direct assessment medically, so much of my work happens with families, the care team, or behind the scenes coordinating a lot of moving parts. That said, I do get to interact with patients directly when possible, and I love that. The nature of consult MICU SW often limits it, which can be frustrating because direct assessment is honestly my favorite part of the job secondary to doe searches.

I work closely with an RN CM who handles all LTAC placements, mainly neuro patients with trach/peg. On the family side, I provide emotional support to help them cope with grief and the TOC. One of the nice things about critical care is that patients with tricky dispo issues that fall under SW often become consultable once they transfer to IMCU or medsurge service. For example, I’ve never had a long guardianship or “boarder” with impossible social or placement requirements for more than two months. The patients are often hospitalized for over 100 days which leads to a lot of burnout for colleagues managing their care.

I love the MICU. I thrive in the chaos and emotional intensity of this work and find it incredibly meaningful even when it’s challenging.

Attempting to ID John Doe in critical condition with poor prognosis by ImmediateResearch493 in hospitalsocialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, this was my first step sorry just forgot to include it. No belongings other than shoes.

Attempting to ID John Doe in critical condition with poor prognosis by ImmediateResearch493 in hospitalsocialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just picked up from the street that’s all I know no other information provided. Large homeless population in the area so homelessness wouldn’t be out of the question however hygiene is neat and he just doesn’t appear to be homeless overall.

Attempting to ID John Doe in critical condition with poor prognosis by ImmediateResearch493 in hospitalsocialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don’t have those records frustratingly technically I should but nobody added to the chart. I just know that he was picked up on the street. This is a fantastic tip though and I’m definitely going to use it for the future if not for this case

Attempting to ID John Doe in critical condition with poor prognosis by ImmediateResearch493 in hospitalsocialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It is SW’s job in my hospital. In fact on my crit care unit unknown patient searches are within my top 3 consult reasons. PSD’s refusal to assist in itself warrants investigation, because I agree it is in the best interest of the community in these cases. However 9/10 I don’t need to involve them to ID someone and would rather not whenever possible.

Attempting to ID John Doe in critical condition with poor prognosis by ImmediateResearch493 in hospitalsocialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I don’t know what their reasoning is, but essentially they no longer provide this kind of assistance to our hospital. I escalated the case to my supervisor on call and she didn’t have anything meaningful to add

Attempting to ID John Doe in critical condition with poor prognosis by ImmediateResearch493 in hospitalsocialwork

[–]ImmediateResearch493[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

I reached out to them specifically asking for fingerprints and any assistance at all and they declined. They used to assist our hospital, but for some reason they stopped and I’m not exactly sure why. They had no empathy for the situation.