2020 Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 162-167
Our hospital, located in the northwestern part of Tokyo central, has accepted various patients as a general hospital since we opened in September 1971. In January 2017, we were designated as an advanced trauma and resuscitation center and actively accept patients not only within the local medical care area of Tokyo but also from neighboring prefectures. Collaboration with regional medical institutions is indispensable to accept increasingly severe emergency patients. A medical social worker (MSW), who dedicates to our emergency medical center (EMC), has been assigned from 2010. We made a comparison between before and after dedication to evaluate the importance of MSW attached to EMC. Although the number of patients accepted annually increased significantly before MSW was dedicated, the response rate for demand of acceptance for severe emergency patients also increased. On the other hand, the number of days of EMC-stay has shortened, and the bed full day has decreased. The MSW attached to EMC plays a major role within the medical team of our EMC, and it is achieved to bring a reduction of full days, an increase in the rate of response, and a reduction in the number of days patients stayed. As a result we are able to contribute to the realization of our mission through sustaining new serious emergency patients.
