Prospective validation of a predictive model that identifies homeless people at risk of re-presentation to the emergency department

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the accuracy of a predictive model to identify homeless people at risk of representation to an emergency department. Methods: A prospective cohort analysis utilised one month of data from a Principal Referral Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. All visits involving people classified as homeless were included, excluding those who died. Homelessness was defined as living on the streets, in crisis accommodation, in boarding houses or residing in unstable housing. Rates of re-presentation, defined as the total number of visits to the same emergency department within 28 days of discharge from hospital, were measured. Performance of the risk screening tool was as..