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University Hospital > Social Work Department

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> Mission Statement
> About Us
> Emergency Social Work
> End of Life Care
> Home Health Care Nurse Liason Program
> Student Practicum Opportunities
> Brochures
    - Nursing Home Placement Guide
    - Grieving for Your Loved One
> Support Groups

How Can We Help?

Social work department mission statement:

To provide compassionate and efficient services to all persons seeking treatment in our facility by:

  • Focusing on prevention, treatment, education and research
  • Functioning with the awareness of the integration of personal, biological and psychological elements with the socioeconomic forces of the environment
  • Assist patients in reaching the highest possible level of social, mental and physical well-being
  • Respecting the dignity and worth of all people and the right to self determination
  • Valuing racial, cultural and individual differences
  • Involving patients and families in planning for care
  • Collaborating with the interdisciplinary team and community agencies to coordinate care across the health care continuum
  • Looking for ways to improve services that increase quality care, promote patient satisfaction and decrease costs.

About Us top of page

The University Hospital licensed medical social workers, clinicians and case managers specialize in working with critically ill or injured patients and their families. Whatever the diagnosis, we work closely with patients throughout their hospital stay to provide support and to ensure a smooth, safe transition to their living environment.

We provide psychological and social assessments and counseling, and we coordinate referrals for post-discharge follow-up, nursing home placement, home care nursing, delivery of home medical equipment and end of life care. Our services can be requested by any patient, family member or member of The University Hospital health care team. We give prompt, courteous attention to all inquiries, and we encourage patients and their families to participate in all decisions regarding their discharge planning.

Each nursing unit has a social worker available. To better understand the circumstances of an illness or injury, a social work professional interviews both patient and family whenever possible. Using information obtained in these interviews, our social worker consults with the patient's physician and nurse about any issues relevant to a patient's health and well-being. The social work team also helps your family deal with the emotional strain of a medical problem and can make referrals to community resources.

Emergency Social Work top of page

We provide around the clock immediate care to patients and family members admitted through The University Hospital's Center for Emergency Care, and we offer comprehensive counseling and crisis intervention services. Our highly trained and experienced staff also has special expertise in working with sexual assault victims.

End of Life Care top of page

The office of Decedent Affairs provides 24-hour assistance to families when a patient dies or death is imminent. Grief support, coordination with funeral homes and referrals to community resources are provided to assist families and staff through this difficult time. For more information, call 513-584-4514, or click here for free information on Grieving the Loss of your Loved One.

Home Health Care Nurse Liaison Program top of page

The Home Health Care nurses can help make arrangements for patients requiring home care nursing, home medical equipment, meals-on-wheels or other services. Located within the hospital, the Home Care offices can be reached by calling 513-584-6666.

Student Practicum Opportunities top of page

The social work department at The University Hospital encourages social work students to continue their education by offering practicum opportunities in inpatient medical social work, emergency services, psychiatry and the Office of Decedent Affairs. If you are a student and interested in doing a practicum at The University Hospital Social Work Department, please call 513-584-4314.

Brochures top of page

 
Nursing Home Placement Pamplet - click for PDF

 
Nursing Home Placement
Handbook
FREE Guide (1 Meg PDF - requires Adobe Acrobat)

More information on how to choose a nursing home for you or your loved one.

For more information on social work services or a free phone book of resources, please call the social work offices at 513-584-4314.


 
 
Grieving the Loss of Your Loved One
 

Grieving the Loss
of Your Loved One
FREE Copy

The Stages of Grief:
  1. Shock
  2. Feeling and emotions- sadness,
    anger, fear
  3. Preoccupation with the deceased
  4. Physical and emotional distresses
  5. Angry feelings and reactions
  6. Guilt
  7. Depression
  8. Withdrawal
  9. Re-entering relationships
  10. Healing and well-being

Support Groups top of page

Widow/Widower Support Group

Sponsor:  Jewish Family Service
Description:  Widow/Widowers Support Group, $20 annual fee, free trial visits
Time:  1st Thursday 4-6 pm (speaker), 3rd Thurs 5-6 (discussion)
Place:  Mack Center, Jewish Family Service
            11223 Cornell Park Dr. 
            Cincinnati, OH 45242
Contact:  Gwen Heilbrun LISW 513-766-3304

Support Group for Children

Sponsored by: Fernside: A Center for Grieving Children
Description: A place of comfort and support for children and teens, ages 3-18, and their families. Also support group for younger adults 18-26
Time: Please call for time and day
Place: 4380 Malsbary Road Suite 300 Cincinnati, OH 45242
Locations in Blue Ash, Anderson, Western Hills, and Liberty Township
Contact: (513) 745-0111

Grief Support Services

Sponsored by: Hospice of Cincinnati
Description: For those who have lost someone special
Time: Please call for day and time
Place: 4310 Cooper Road Cincinnati, OH 45242
Contact: Alan Gruber (513) 936-5811
             Polly Peterson (513) 936-5814 

Circle of Friendship

Sponsor:  VITAS Innovative Hospice Care
Description:  For those who have lost someone in their life through death and who are seeking support from others
Time and Place:  Please call for various times and locations
Contact:  Ken Czillinger, 513-742-6583

Grief Support Group

Sponsored by: Cancer Family Care
Description: A nine-week program for those who have lost a loved one
Time & Place: Please call for various times and locations
Contact: Kathy Teipen (513) 474-6907 or 731-3346

Cincinnati Area Senior Services 

Description: This agency provides a continuum of services to meet the needs of older adults, including protective services, transportation, and home-delivered meals.
Time: Operates Monday-Friday regular business hours
Contact: 721-4330

The United Way Helpline

Description: Offers 24-hour information and referral services for community and social services information.
Dial: 211 or 721-7900 from a cell phone