CLINICAL INITIATIVES

In addition to our research initiatives, the Section strives to implement best practices and delivery innovation in the clinical arena at Harborview and the University of Washington Medical Centers.

Partnering closely with other Departments, as well as Public Health Seattle & King County, we are leading efforts to bring a public health focus to the Emergency Department setting.

Examples of such work include:

  • Implementing models of care to connect patients to evidence-based treatment strategies, including initiation of buprenoprhine in the ED, and expedited outpatient referrals.
  • Screening patients for social determinants of health to identify and address key health disparities.
  • Creating innovative systems of care to reduce ED utilization.
  • Screening patients for diseases of key public health concern and working to prevent disease and injury through vaccination and other preventive measures.