March 11, 2021

Implementation of a Recuperation Unit and Hospitalization Rates Among People Experiencing Homelessness With COVID-19

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Public Health Policy and Practice

Keywords (Tags): public health

• Implementation of a novel COVID-19 Recuperation Unit (CRU) designed for people experiencing homelessness (PEH) was associated with a 28% reduction in hospitalization among COVID-19 positive PEH during a COVID-19 surge. The CRU was designed as a place where PEH diagnosed with COVID-19 who did not require hospitalization could safely quarantine. During the study period of March to June 2020, the total COVID-19 hospital census in a large safety-net hospital in Boston count began to decline and the daily hospitalized count of COVID-19 positive PEH remained stable after the opening of the CRU on April 9. Meanwhile, the daily census at the CRU increased and peaked on April 21 with nearly 100 COVID-19 positive PEH. By the end of the study, PEH accounted for 84% of the CRU census.

Barocas et al. (Mar 10, 2021). Implementation of a Recuperation Unit and Hospitalization Rates Among People Experiencing Homelessness With COVID-19. JAMA Network Open. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.2826