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March is Social Worker Month What do social workers do in a hospital? by Sheldon M. Weinstein, LISW Manager, Medical Social Work Frequently, we’re asked why we have social workers in a medical/surgical hospital.  The answer is people come to the hospital with their families, their friends, and their problems. When we treat patients, we often work with their families, friends, and clergy as a part of their wellness plan.  Here are some of the things social workers do on an average day.  Help to broker services for patients  If a patient has part of his or her lung removed, we can't send him or her  home to a cold apartment because the heat has been turned off. That's not a safe discharge. Social workers are able to advocate for patients and connect them with resources who help in these situations. Social workers, with the help of chaplains and/or child life specialists, are often involved in helping a patient and his/her family adjust to catastrophic news about their medical conditions. We help them connect to support groups and other patients and families with the same or similar illnesses. Sometimes those groups are right here in the hospital.  Help connect families during emergencies  Social workers help arrange for a family member serving in the military to be flown home from places like Iraq or Afghanistan because a family member is ill in our hospital. Social workers help a child’s family travel great distances to be here when they can’t afford it. We  feel the family's presence is necessary to help the child recover. Help families write grants and apply for aid  Many families have patients with catastrophic illnesses that require very expensive medications or treatments. Social workers make families aware of these resources and assist them in the application process to obtain assistance for their loved ones. Help hospital administration plan for the efficient use of bed space The medical center has experienced difficulty in meeting  the demands for bed space. Social workers use systems theory in conjunction with nursing, physicians, and administration to solve these problems. Educate about public assistance  Social workers educate patients, family members, and hospital staff about the intricacies of public assistance.  They are the knowledge resource for funding for patients on public assistance needing to be in the hospital—especially for long stays.  Assist patients in coordinating post-hospital services  Social workers help patients find rehabilitation hospitals and nursing homes after leaving  our hospital. Sometimes patients are not ready to return home when it is time for them to leave the hospital, especially if they are elderly and live alone. Social workers help patients and families find suitable places for them to receive the care they need until they are prepared to return home. MUSC social workers Katherine Sams Belser, Yvette W. Chambers, Sherell G. Lucas, Judith A. Greenfarb, Emily J. Hindman, Roberta F. Murchison, Anna G. Bailey, Mary C. Dubois, Patricia A. Roberts, Mela N. Khedouri, Eileen M. McLaughlin, Sherrell Thomas-Nelson, Elena A. Bell, Rena B. Bligen, Denise Marie Prentice, Joyce Ann Rivers-Miller, Brenda R. Holloway, Mary S. Deas, Gale E. Horinbein, St. Julian Stewart, Rebecca Ann Hassell, Pamela Saunders-Williams, Cherlyn W. Monroe, Kathleen J. Macaron, Sharon P. Johnson, Angel Latiece Harmon, Kenya T. Logan, EIleen M. Miller, Neomi M. Brown, Sarah M. Bishop, Irene E. Dorsey, Peggy Adams Willis, Mary Vansickle-Bonney, Geoffrey Cheek, Carol L. Jaskunas, Paulette C. Winguard, Elizabeth D. Weed, Tracy Rene Mau, Lisa Hunninghake, Brenda Gale Vaughan, Maria V. Lundell, Sheldon Weinstein, Nancy Draffin, LaVerne LeFlore, Geneva Fleming, and Mela Khedouri.   Friday, March 19, 2004 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.