161 Community Based Prehospital Care Project: Providing a Low-Barrier-to-Access Care Model for Those Experiencing Homelessness in an Urban Environment

Abstract

Homelessness is a critical public health problem affecting more than half a million people in the US. It is associated with an increased incidence of chronic illness, morbidity and mortality rates. As those experiencing homelessness frequently lack access to primary care (PCP) and health insurance, the emergency department (ED) is often a primary source of care, resulting in increased healthcare costs over time. In an effort to improve primary care access and decrease costs, we implemented a low barrier-to-access care model where specialty-trained, municipal out-of-hospital-based providers were deployed to our city’s primary homeless shelter to provide basic, protocolized care and resources to shelter users.